MD Grocery Stores Cut Hours For Coronavirus Cleaning, Restocking

MARYLAND — With shoppers flocking to stores to stock up on peanut butter, toilet paper and frozen pizza, some Maryland grocery store chains have adjusted store hours to allow staff more time to restock and clean store shelves.

Several chains around the country, including Wegmans and Harris Teeter, announced Saturday that hours would be modified for various reasons, all of which stemmed from the ongoing new coronavirus outbreak. Some stores cited the health of employees as a reason for the move.

Landover, Maryland-based Giant Foods said Saturday that it currently has no plans to close stores or adjust hours. "We are continuing to monitor our ability to service our stores and will only adjust if absolutely necessary."

The grocer has stopped taking Giant Pickup order because of inconsistent levels of supply by store each day. Giant Delivers, which is fulfilled at a local distribution center, is still available to customers, although delivery availability will fluctuate due to the high demand.

"We want to ensure to our customers that we are continuing to work hard to provide for their needs, but it has not been without challenges," a message to customers said Saturday. "Our stores, distribution centers, national supply chains and vendor partners are being pushed to their limits, but we are all working together, across the industry, to make sure that our communities have the products and services they need for their families and themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Here's a look at the latest grocery chains announcing updated hours:

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Aldi: Some stores will be temporarily closed or have limited hours, thechain's website said Saturday. "At this time, we cannot provide specific location information. We appreciate you as our customer and continue to do what we can."

Harris Teeter: Starting Sunday night, all stores will close at 9 p.m. ET each night, the company tweeted.

Giant Foods: With 163 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, the company said in a release that it has no plans to change store hours as of Saturday.

Lidl: So far there are no changes to store hours, the company said Saturday night.

Wegman's: Stores will now be open the following hours: Maryland stores, 6 a.m.-10 p.m., and Virginia stores, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.

Other grocery chains, including Kroger, Albertsons, Trader Joe's, Walmart, Target, BJ's and Whole Foods have not announced any changes to hours, though many have announced staff will do more cleaning in stores to curb potential coronavirus spread.

On March 10, Walmart officials said they were "evaluating whether to modify store hours at some 24-hour facilities to allow for additional cleaning," CNN reported.

This list will update as new announcements are made.

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