Arrows on the floor direct Cornelius Post Office customers
April 16. Grocery stores have the same set of COVID-19 rules, but they are doing things differently. Some are offering special shopping hours for seniors because individuals older than 65 are at increased risk of complications from the coronavirus, others are marking aisles one-way to help with social distancing, and one asks customers to wear face masks to slow the spread.
Fresh Market started requiring customers to wear face masks this week, but a spokesperson said enforcement is not possible. Customers have noticed.
“I was also in Fresh Market and was appalled by 3 young women running all around the store; no masks, not following the marked lines,” one reader said in an email Thursday to Cornelius Today. “I will not shop at Fresh Market again until everyone wears a mask.
“I left the store and went to Publix, which was having the same problem. Guess there is a certain group having trouble with new rules.”
Publix also has put arrows on the floor to mark traffic flow directions and put up signage for one-way aisles.
Here are some other things local grocers are doing:
Hours for customers age 65+
·Food Lion designates senior shopping hours on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Store hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
·Fresh Market reserves the 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. hour weekdays for seniors and other individuals most at risk as identified by the CDC. The company ask that other guests who do not fall into a higher risk category respect this reserved hour.
·Harris Teeter Jetton Village and Harris Teeter Antiquity offer individuals 60 years and older designated shopping time on Mondays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Pickup and delivery for online ordering for seniors is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursdays, with a flat $5 delivery charge and the $4.95 home shopper fee waived. The Jetton Village store is hiring to keep up with online demand. Pharmacies at both stores open early on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 a.m. General store hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
·Publix is designating Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., as reserved shopping hours for customers age 65 and older. This change in hours will continue until further notice. The pharmacy will also open at 7 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to serve seniors.
Hours for first responders and hospital staff
Publix is designating Thursday evenings, 8 to 9 p.m., and Friday mornings, 7 to 8 a.m., as special shopping hours for first responders and hospital staff. This change in hours begins April 16 and continues until further notice. Publix Pharmacy will also be open during these times.
And, in coffee news…
Starbucks announced March 25 that the chain would give out free coffee to anyone who identifies as a front-line responder to the pandemic through May 3. The free coffee must be a tall hot or iced brewed coffee.
