[UPDATED 3/18 3:20 p.m.] Starting today, all Hy-Vee stores will be closing at 8 p.m. as part of the companies response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The stores will be opening at 7 a.m., effective Thursday, March 19. The first hour of each day, Hy-Vee is requesting that all customers not in the below categories refrain from using stores until 8 a.m. each day:

  • Ages 60 and older
  • Expectant mothers
  • Anyone with an underlying health condition(s) that makes him/her more susceptible to serious illness

Pharmacies at most Hy-Vee grocery stores, Mainstreet locations, Dollar Fresh stores, and Hy-Vee Drugstores will also be open at 7 a.m. to serve those customers.

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The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that new store hours will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week at Hy-Vee stores across the companies eight-state region, including Iowa. The Des Moines based company made the announcement Tuesday. The new hours will be in effect until further notice. The shortened store hours are to give employees more time to clean and sanitize each store, restock in-demand items, and spend more time with family and loved ones.

Dining areas inside stores, restaurants and convenience stores, as well as bars inside Hy-Vee Market Grill locations, have all been closed. Hy-Vee convenience stores will continue to operate during normal business hours for the time being.

Meanwhile, national retailer Target, announced that all of its stores will close no later than 9 p.m. also beginning today.

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