Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

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.

The hours for the Dollar General in Washington C.H., 1821 Columbus Ave., dedicated to elderly shoppers will be from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The store’s overall operating hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The hours for the Dollar General in Bloomingburg, 103 Main St., dedicated to elderly shoppers will be 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The stores overall operating hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Other customers are encouraged to plan their shopping trips around this window of time to allow the most susceptible customers in our communities the ability to shop during the first hour that stores are open.

Additionally, all stores plan to close one hour earlier than current close times to allow employees to clean and re-stock store shelves, as well as for their health and well-being. Stores will continue to maintain current opening hours.

Dollar General remains committed to providing customers and employees with a safe, clean and pleasant shopping environment at all stores, and seeks for customers to feel confident when shopping its stores.

“In keeping with our mission and our ongoing commitment to serve our communities, we are dedicating the first hour of each day to seniors. We appreciate our customers’ understanding of our decision and request they visit our stores later in the morning to allow at-risk populations the ability to purchase the items they need at affordable prices,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.