Major grocery store chains across the United States are cutting hours to allow workers to clean stores and restock amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The measures will also protect workers from the new virus, which causes a disease called COVID-19 that is deadly for some, primarily those who are older or who have underlying health conditions like heart disease.
“We will continue to make decisions that allow us to operate clean, open and stocked stores to serve our customers and support our associates,” it said.
Employees are “providing incredible, amazing service under very difficult circumstances,” CEO Rodney McMullen said in a video message on Monday.
Kroger is the largest chain in America, with nearly 2,800 grocery stores.
The chain is also scaling back its presence at large community events, encouraging workers to stay home if they don’t feel well, and not allowing any employees to take business-related air-travel until further notice.
H-E-B said some items might be out of stock as certain times, encouraging customers to return later to see if the item they’re looking for is back in stock.
Walmart said over the weekend that it was cutting hours at stores across the nation. The more than 4,700 locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice.
“This will help ensure associates are able to stock the products our customers are looking for and to perform cleaning and sanitizing,” Dacona Smith, executive vice president, said in a statement.
The Giant Company started on March 14 closing all 24-hour stores at midnight and reopening them at 6 a.m. the following day.
Giant has stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Other chains didn’t announce adjusted hours but said they’re implementing other measures to try to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Publix has stores in seven states, including Alabama, Florida, and Virginia.