Dollar General, which has a store on Papago Road south of Maricopa, and Bashas’ announced this week they will dedicate a shopping hour for senior shoppers as part of their approach to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting this week, Bashas’ and its affiliates Food City and AJ’s grocery stores in Arizona will open an hour early, from 5 to 6 a.m., each Wednesday just for shoppers age 65 and up. Shoppers will be required to show a valid I.D. at the door. If there is a need for a caretaker, one caretaker is welcome but will not be allowed to shop for themselves.

Most Bashas’ stores temporarily have regular hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“In an effort to continue to support and closely monitor health, we are providing additional cleaning resources, encouraging anyone who does not feel well to stay at home and providing regular updates on important CDC guidelines and recommendations,” President and CEO Trey Basha said in a letter to customers.

The Maricopa store also starting limiting shoppers to just one purchase per item.

Dollar General is dedicating its first hour of operation to senior shoppers every day. All DG stores across the country also plan to close an hour earlier than their normal schedules to allow more time for cleaning and restocking.

Other customers are encouraged to plan their shopping 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.

“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,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities.”

Dollar General will closer an hour earlier than usual each day.

Meanwhile, Fry’s Food Stores have adjusted their hours of operation for most stores to 6 a.m.-10 p.m., and Walmart, which is usually open 24 in Maricopa, has been closing overnight.