Publix, Walmart Cut Hours Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Two giant store chains are reducing store hours as the nation grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.

Florida’s leading grocery store, Publix Super Markets, began closing at 8 p.m. on Saturday to allow more time for cleanup and to stock dwindling supplies on shelves, and will do so indefinitely, the company tweeted.

Also, Walmart announced it’s cutting store hours in their 24-hour locations starting Sunday at all Walmart and Neighborhood Markets.

The stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Stores already operating under different reduced hours will continue on that schedule, it said.

“This will help ensure associates are able to stock the products our customers are looking for and to perform cleaning and sanitizing,” the company said.

Grocery and discount department stores around the country have been cleared out as shoppers stock up in the case of an emergency — despite stores and public health officials discouraging the panic buying.

The early hours, however, could hurt some hourly workers for Walmart, who may lack access to paid sick leave programs or health insurance.

Earlier this week, Walmart announced a paid sick leave policy for up to 26 weeks for both full-time and part-time workers who become sickened with the fast-spreading virus.

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