GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. —Dollar General stores on Tuesday began to set aside the first hour of each shopping day to seniors.

Recognizing that seniors are one of the populations most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the retailer said it wants give these at-risk customers with the ability to buy the items they need at the beginning of each day so they don’t have to shop when stores are busier and more crowded. Other consumers are being asked to shop at other times of the day.

“In keeping with our mission and our ongoing commitment to serve our communities, we are dedicating the first hour of each day to seniors,” Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said in a statement. “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.

“During these unprecedented times, Dollar General is diligently working to meet the ongoing needs of our customers and communities. We are proud to live our mission and provide customers with everyday low prices on the household essentials that are used and replenished most often.”

Dollar General also said it plans close all of its stores one hour earlier each day. The move is meant to give employees an extra hour to clean and re-stock store shelves, as well as for their health and wellbeing. Stores will continue to maintain their current opening hours. Normal operating hours by individual store locations are available here.