Dollar General shoppers, take note.

Starting Tuesday, the Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based discount chain announced it is dedicating the first hour in its more than 16,000 stores to help senior shoppers "avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people over the age of 60 are most vulnerable to COVID-19, or coronavirus.

In a news release Monday, Dollar General said it is encouraging other shoppers to plan their 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."

Stores nationwide also will close an hour earlier than regular closing times "to allow employees to clean and restock store shelves, as well as for their health and wellbeing."

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Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said in a statement that these were "unprecedented times."

"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,” Vasos said.

Dollar General, which has stores in 44 states, said in a tweet that it wasn't "qualifying a specific age" for the set-aside time.

Dollar General isn't the only store looking to help seniors.

Starting Thursday, Stop & Shop will open from 6 to 7:30 a.m. for customers over the age of 60, according to the Asbury Park Press, part of the USA TODAY Network. Stop & Shop said the dedicated time better enables social distancing and there would be a designated entrance for seniors.

"Although we will not be requesting ID for entry, we ask that you please respect the purpose of the early opening – and do the right thing for your neighbors," Stop & Shop said in a news release. "Store associates do reserve the right to ask customers to leave if they are not a member of this age group."

In Jersey City, New Jersey, grocery stores will allocate two hours every morning, from 9 to 11, specifically for elderly, disabled and pregnant shoppers, Mayor Steven Fulop said. The rule starts Tuesday and applies to grocery stores that have three or more cash registers.

Also starting Tuesday in Southern California, all 41 Northgate González Market stores have a special hour of shopping for the disabled and seniors 65 and older from 7 to 8 a.m.

Contributing: David P. Willis, Asbury Park Press; Anthony Zurita, NorthJersey.com

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko