BALTIMORE, MD—As the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold around the world, some grocery store chains in the state of Maryland have set aside special shopping hours for seniors.

Since those over 60 years of age are most susceptible to COVID-19, designated shopping hours help those who may be most vulnerable get the groceries they need with a reduced risk of infection.

The following stores have dedicated special hours to seniors:

• ALDI: 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Dollar General: 8 – 9 a.m. daily
• Giant: 6 – 7 a.m. daily
• Safeway: 7 – 9 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Target: 8 – 9 a.m. Wednesdays
• Whole Foods: 7 – 8 a.m. daily

Older adults and those with pre-existing medical conditions have a greater risk for serious illness, and in some cases death, if they become infected with COVID-19. Examples of pre-existing medical conditions include: cancer, diabetes, heart disease or other conditions that impact the immune system’s ability to fight germs.

If you are an older adult or you have one or more chronic health conditions, you can take action to reduce your risk of exposure to COVID-19:

• Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others
• When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often with soap and water or hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content
• Avoid crowds as much as possible
• Depending on the severity, public health officials will recommend certain actions to help reduce your risk of being exposed to COVID-19 if an outbreak happens in your community. These actions can slow the spread and reduce the impact of disease.

View more safety tips for seniors at the Maryland Department of Health website here.