Coles is dedicating two "Community Hour" shopping periods per week to emergency services and healthcare workers, who are essential to protecting the public during the COVID-19 pandemic .

Starting this Thursday 26 March, the first hour of trade on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be for emergency services and healthcare workers.

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A delivery truck seen at a Coles supermarket in Sydney, Tuesday, February 19, 2019. Australia's second-biggest grocery chain, Coles Group Ltd, posted a sharper-than-expected fall in half-year earnings on Tuesday and said costs were rising faster than sales, sending its shares lower. (AAP /Joel Carrett) (AAP)

These include doctors, nurses, paramedics, hospital and ambulance staff, police, firefighters and emergency service workers who hold an AHPRA card, have a workplace ID or are wearing their work uniform.

"In the past week we have seen Community Hour help vulnerable and elderly Australians access essential grocery items during this challenging time," Coles Group CEO Steven Cain said.

A shopper at Coles' special early opening hour for older and vulnerable people. (AAP)

"We are now extending this opportunity to those Australians who are protecting our community and keeping us safe."

Coles will continue its "Community Hours" on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the vulnerable and elderly customers who hold a government-issued Pensioner Concession Card, Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, Companion Card, Seniors Card, Disability Card and Health Care Card.

Police Officer watch as people queue for a delivery of toilet paper, paper towel and pasta at Coles Supermarket, Epping in Sydney, Friday, March 20, 2020. Supermarkets have been struggling to keep up with demand for products such as toilet paper in recent days, as panic buying as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in people purchasing far more than usual. Supermarkets have put in place limits on the quantity people can purchase of many everyday items. (AAP Image/James Gourley) NO ARC (AAP)

"We know these workers are incredibly busy and hope that providing them with a dedicated hour at the beginning of the day to shop will make their lives a little easier and support the vital work they are doing every day," said Mr Cain.

Mr Cain also urged customers to continue to treat staff members with "kindness and patience".

Coles enforces extra social distancing and safety measures

Stores will be open from 7am until 8pm every day.

"Coles would like to assure the community that it is an essential service and its supermarkets, petrol stations and liquor stores will remain open every day across Australia as the COVID-19 outbreak continues. Coles' distribution centres are also open and the team is working with suppliers and partners to get more stock to stores as fast as possible," the supermarket said in a statement.

Customers have now been advised to use the length of a trolley as a guide for the distance between themselves and other shoppers as well as maintain hand hygiene by washing or sanitising their hands before entering stores.