LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Smith’s Food & Drug Stores is joining a growing list of grocery chains in Las Vegas offering special hours for senior citizens, the group most vulnerable to COVID-19, a disease caused by the coronavirus.

The chain says starting March 18 it is dedicating the first hour on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., solely to the shopping needs of seniors.

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It also says each store will have staff on hand to help those that need special accommodations, and it is waiving the pick-up fee for online orders received curbside for customers whose verified age is 60 years and older through at least April 18.

Smith’s says it is also evaluating extending pharmacy hours to open earlier for seniors.

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For all other customers, the company says temporary store hours will continue to be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice.

On Monday, Dollar General announced that it's now offering the first hour of shopping to seniors only, and that locations will begin closing an hour earlier to give employees a chance to clean and restock.

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