Supermarket chains across the country are implementing priority shopping hours for the elderly due to the coronavirus.
Lidl announced that it is prioritising older shoppers at stores nationwide from 9am until 11am every day from tomorrow morning.
The initiative will be in place in all 163 stores nationwide until further notice.
People will be able to avail of prioritised queuing and additional assistance during this time.
Lidl is asking that others allow more vulnerable customers to pick up the food and supplies they need.
It said the decision had been made in response to feedback from customers.
The retailer said on social media: "We may not be able to actively monitor this at all times as our store teams are required on checkouts and restocking shelves, so we kindly ask that customers respect this measure and plan their shopping trips around this timeframe."
We’ve been listening to your feedback and we will be implementing priority shopping hours for the elderly across all 163 Lidl stores in Ireland, 9-11am every day, until further notice.
— Lidl Ireland (@lidl_ireland) March 16, 2020
Tesco
Tesco also announced it would be offering over 65-year olds and family carers a dedicated time for them to do their shopping in its 151 stores nationwide.
Starting on Wednesday, March 18th, these customers will have dedicated access to all Tesco stores up to 9am.
Tesco stores open at 7am or 8am each day, depending on where they are located.
Kari Daniels, Chief Executive, Tesco Ireland said: “We recognise that people over 65 and family carers who are looking after vulnerable family members at home, have specific needs during this time.
"In liaison with the HSE and following discussions with Age Action Ireland and Family Carers Ireland, together we agreed that this is the right thing to do, at this time.
Iceland
Iceland Ireland announced similar measures, with customers aged over 65 given priority to shop during 8am to 9am from Wednesday 18th March onwards.
The retailer, which operates 27 stores here, said it will continue to operate as normal as possible over the coming days and weeks.
It asks that other customers respect this hour and "help to give time to this customer group so they can shop in comfort and safety".
'Most challenging day'
Meanwhile, Retail Excellence, an organisation representing 2,000 retail companies nationwide, has said that today was the "hardest and most challenging day" in the industry’s history.
In a message to members, the body said that retailers had done "the right thing" in closing their doors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The organisation said in a statement that it had been "incredibly busy dealing with hundreds of distressing phone calls and emails".
The message added: "It has been upsetting for everyone to see what is happening. The next few days will be even more challenging. We will need to prepare for a new way of shopping for essential items. This new way will keep us all safe and healthy."
