Coronavirus: Special hours for seniors at some stores

Image
  • Special hours are being set for seniors at some stores.
    Special hours are being set for seniors at some stores.
Body

As Columbia County residents continue to grapple with disruptions due to COVID-19, some local grocers have adjusted their shopping hours, in part to accommodate the most vulnerable among us.

Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie, both owned by Southeastern Grocers of Jacksonville, are now open from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m., seven days per week. 

In addition, senior citizens 60 and older, as well as other high-risk customers, have a special invitation to shop from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Monday - Friday. 

The special hours went into effect Friday.

The grocer is asking all customers to respect the time given to the elderly and other high-risk shoppers to allow them the comfort of purchasing necessary products in a safe environment.

“We’ll show special attention to seniors, but other customers will be allowed in,” said Elvis Gillis, store manager of the Lake City Winn-Dixie.

He noted that while the store has modified hours, employees are cleaning and sanitizing the store until 10 p.m. nightly.

Publix, which is now open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week, will open an hour early for shoppers 65 and older.

Walmart will serve customers from 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and has set aside 6 a.m. - 7 a.m. on Tuesdays as its time for shoppers 60 and older.

As of Monday, shopping hours at Aldi are from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. The store does not have senior shopping hours.

Dollar General also has new hours, from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily. Seniors 60 and older have a special invitation to shop from 7 a.m.-8 a.m. 

Save A Lot is open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and doesn’t have senior hours.