Grocery stores

around the Tri-Cities have set aside special shopping times for senior citizens

and other vulnerable populations more susceptible to the coronavirus.

We’ve checked

with several local stores to update this list, but it’s probably a good idea

for customers to double-check hours before heading out.

Grocery stores

offering special senior shopping hours include:

Albertsons: 7-9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Stores are open

for senior citizens and other at-risk members of the community, such as

pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.

Costco: 8-9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Stores open to

members 60 and older. The pharmacy also will be open during this hour, but the

food court will maintain its normal operating schedule.

Fred Meyer: 7-8 a.m. Monday through Thursday.

Store open for those 60 and older.

Ki-Be Market

Grocery & Feed: 6:30-7 a.m.

daily. Seniors 60 and older may shop half an hour before the usual opening

time.

Prosser Food

Depot: 6-7 a.m. daily. Store

open for senior citizens, pregnant women and those with compromised immune

systems.

Safeway: 7-9 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Stores are open

for senior citizens and other at-risk members of the community, such as

pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems.

Target: 8-9 a.m. Wednesday. Stores will be open for

vulnerable guests, including those over 65 years old, pregnant women or those

defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as vulnerable or

at-risk.

Walmart: 6-7 a.m. Tuesday. Stores open an hour earlier

for those 60 and older. Store pharmacies and vision centers also will be open

during this time.

Winco: 6-7:30 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Stores are open

for seniors, vulnerable populations and Winco employees. Winco said the

employee access is intended to help local employee-owners who are working long

hours to keep the doors to the stores open. Winco Foods also has temporarily

discontinued the use of all bulk barrels and bins requiring the use of scoops

or tongs for unwrapped and ready-to-eat products.

Yoke’s Fresh

Markets: 6-9 a.m. Wednesday.

Stores will be open to seniors and vulnerable guests. Also on Wednesdays, the

pharmacy will open two hours early at 7 a.m.