Coronavirus: Long Island Supermarkets Change Hours

MEDFORD, NY — As the growing pandemic of the new coronavirus forced New York officials to shut down businesses, restaurants and public gatherings, some grocery retailers are instituting new policies this week will affect Long Island shoppers. Supermarkets changed their hours for more cleaning and stocking of shelves after many stores were wiped out of items like toilet paper.

Stop & Shop announced Monday it will change their hours to 7:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. at most stores beginning Monday. Starting Thursday, special shopping hours for those age 60 and older will be held from 6 a.m. until 7:30 a.m. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said older Americans are the most vulnerable to coronavirus, or COVID-19. Store staff will not request identification for entry but said they reserve the right to ask customers to leave if they are too young.

King Kullen and sister store Wild By Nature announced a change in their hours to 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. so they can meet shelf-stocking and cleaning demands.

CNN reported Sunday that Walmart is another retailer that has changed hours in response to the crisis. The new hours are 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. until further notice.