COVID-19: Toronto Grocery stores reduce hours during coronavirus outbreak

GTA grocery stores are reducing their business hours and Loblaw deems their first hour (7 am – 8am) exclusive to seniors. A statement posted on Thursday by Galen Weston of Loblaw Companies Limited, explains that their stores will be reducing their business hours immediately to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Metro also made a similar announcement stating they have temporarily updated their hours to ensure stores are sanitised and restocked for the next day.

Metro stores will be open 8 am to 8 pm every day. See Updated Store Hours for your local store, as there are some exceptions, while Loblaw “Supermarkets will open from 7am-8pm, with the first hour dedicated to seniors and those with disabilities.

Sobeys is doing the same as Metro opening from 8 am -8 pm in order to have time for sanitizing and shelf restocking.

Galen Weston also said they will are reducing hours at Shoppers Drug Mart “based on the needs of each community – please check online for the revised opening hours for your store.”

The Loblaw statement encourages customers to use debit or credit cards to limit the amount of hand-to-hand touching between a customer and an employee.

And they advise that over the next few days they will begin limiting the number of customers allowed in during their busiest stores at the same time. The number will vary at each location and will be determined based on the store’s size.

Weston told Loblaw colleagues that limiting the numbers will” “make it much easier for you and our colleagues to practice social distancing. When the aisles are jam-packed, giving people the appropriate amount of space is just too difficult.”