Concord Food Coop will open an hour earlier each day starting Friday, when it will serve only customers who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
The Main Street store announced Tuesday that starting March 20, it “will open an hour earlier each day to serve only customers who are age 60 and over, or has a health condition that increases risk of complications related to COVID-19.”
Some stores around the world have made similar changes to protect shoppers, including at least two chains in Australia. The discount chain Dollar General is “encouraging” shoppers who are not over 60 to avoid the first hour of each business day.
Mortality rates from COVID-19 are much higher for people over 60 than for younger adults or children.
Concord Coop said on Facebook that it had looked into curbside pickup, so shoppers wouldn’t have to come into the store at all, but that a previous effort was little used.
“It is far too complicated to bring it back. But stay tuned…” said the post.
