NORFOLK, Virginia — Dollar General is opening its doors specifically to those sixty and older from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. each day.
The retail supply chain has created what they are calling their "Senior Hour Encouragement." They hope this will be a way for seniors to shop and not have to worry about the big crowds during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Younger guests won't be barred from entering during their senior hour, but the company is encouraging their customers to reserve that time for seniors out of a sense of community responsibility.
The CDC said seniors are more vulnerable to severe complications from the virus.
"In keeping with the Company's mission of Serving Others, Dollar General wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods," wrote Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos.
Dollar General plans to continue this service until the outbreak is contained.
Some customers at a Virginia Beach Dollar General shared their thoughts about the new hour.
"I think seniors deserve that kind of respect," one customer said.
Another said, "I think it's a great idea for the elderly to be able to come in and not have lots of the younger people running all over them."