ATLANTA, GA — Items such as hand sanitizer and cold and flu medicine continue to stay off shelves as people take precaution against the new Coronavirus, COVID-19. Grocery stores in Atlanta, such as Kroger, Publix and Target have set limits on purchases to help make sure everyone has a chance to buy what they need.

Kroger shared Thursday in a news release that its stores are limiting the number of cold, flu, and sanitary items so everyone can "have access to the products they need." The preparedness plan was set March 2. "We believe that everyone deserves to have access to fresh, affordable food and essentials, especially in times of uncertainty," Kroger said in a news release. "That's why our teams are working so hard to keep our stores clean, open and stocked."

The press release also said that they are working to get the "food, medicine and cleaning supplies" needed to stores "as quickly as possible." Here's the list of steps they are taking:

Stores Cleaning commonly used areas more often, including cashier stations, self-checkouts, credit card terminals, conveyor belts and food service counters, and cleaning shelves when restocking products.

Sanitizing restrooms more frequently and restocking with supplies, including soap, paper towels and hand sanitizer.

Adding extra hand sanitizer at cashier stations, food service counters, and all Pharmacy, The Little Clinic and Starbucks locations.

Wiping down shopping carts, baskets and equipment.

Partnering with our suppliers to replenish high-demand preparedness products.

Continuing to provide our customers with free disinfectant wipes at our store entrances to sanitize their shopping carts or baskets.

Following best practices for safe food handling, as always. Employees

Encouraging our associates to closely monitor their health and well-being.

Providing hand sanitizer and tissues in breakrooms and meeting rooms.

Asking our associates to stay home if they, or someone in their household, are sick.

Providing financial support from our Helping Hands fund – a company-sponsored employee assistance fund – to associates who may be directly affected.

Suspending business air travel for associates through March 31, 2020 and recommending virtual meetings. Customers

Encouraging our customers to follow the CDC's suggested hygiene practices to reduce the spread of the virus.

Recommending that our customers also practice safe food handling at home. Kroger isn't the only store taking precautions. Publix grocery stores have stopped offering food samples because of the coronavirus, and limited how much hand sanitizer can be purchased, the company confirmed to Patch.