(WATE/KRON) — Bigger grocery chain stores are stepping up and setting aside earlier hours for the people most vulnerable to the coronavirus – the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.

As more businesses and organizations are adjusting hours in order to practice social distancing and slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, we’re looking to bring the latest in what places are open for seniors-only shopping special hours.

Whole Foods will dedicate an hour before opening; while Target will have the first hour of being open, as well as Dollar General.

These adjusted special hours are said to be tremendously helpful to these people so that they don’t get infected; for now they can avoid lines and crowds and the store will be mostly stocked, since panic shoppers have left many shelves bare.

Below is a list of stores and their hours dedicated to serving seniors and the vulnerable.

Here’s a current list:

Costco: The retailer said n a statement Saturday that it will open its doors for members 60 years and older every Tuesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The special hours begin March 24.

Butler & Bailey Markets on Northshore Drive: Every Saturday and Tuesday the store will open 8-9 a.m. exclusively for people in the high-risk categories. The Rocky Hill grocery store also is now closing on Wednesdays and Sundays. Hours on other days are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Dollar General: The Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based discount chain announced it is dedicating the first hour in its more than 16,000 stores in 44 states to help senior shoppers “avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods.” The retailer said said in a tweet that it wasn’t “qualifying a specific age” for the set-aside time.

Food City: Food City is changing its store hours to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and designating 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. for seniors and those customers with underlying health conditions. Officials saying, the first hour of operation will be specifically designated for customers 65 and older, as well as customers with underlying health conditions to shop to avoid busier shopping periods. We are working diligently to continue to maintain stock levels to service our customers and are in constant communication with supply chain teams.”

Fresh Market: The grocer, which has 159 stores in 22 states, is reserving the first hour stores open, from 8 to 9 a.m. for “seniors and those most at risk” Monday through Friday. 

Kroger: Beginning Monday, March 23, Kroger stores in the Nashville division will adjust their service hours to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. The Kroger Nashville division includes stores in Middle and East Tennessee, North Alabama, and Southern Kentucky.  Kroger stores in this same area are dedicating the first hour of operation (7 a.m. to 8 a.m.) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to seniors (60+) and other higher-risk customers, as defined by the CDC.

Publix: Beginning Tuesday, March 24, Publix is designating Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, 7 – 8 a.m., as senior shopping hours for customers age 65 and over. This change in hours will continue until further notice. Publix Pharmacy will also open at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to serve our senior population.

Sam’s Club: Starting Thursday, March 26, locations across the country will offer shopping hours every Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. to impacted customers. The company also announced a concierge service where customers can shop from their car during these same special hours.

Target: Starting Wednesday, the retailer will “reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday at stores nationwide for vulnerable guests,” Target said, adding it is “encouraging other guests to plan their shopping trips around this timeframe.” 

Walmart: Beginning March 24, Walmart stores will host an hour-long senior shopping event every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older. This will start one hour before the store opens.  The pharmacies and vision centers will also be open during this time.

Whole Foods Market: Starting Wednesday, all Whole Foods Market stores in the U.S. and Canada will let customers who are 60 and older shop one hour before opening to the public.

This list will be updated as new information becomes available.

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