Prince William Area Guide to Grocery Shopping During Virus Outbreak

Free Use by I-5 Design & Manufacture[/caption] During these rough times of being stuck at home, there is one place people still need to go: grocery shopping. Thus, In order to serve the community, Bristow Beat has compiled a list of local grocery stores and supermarkets and their responses to the COVID-19 virus outbreak. This guide can be used as a "one-stop," spot to help shoppers decide which stores better fit their needs on any given day. This list is based upon information stores provided on their websites and includes new hours and procedures. Among all stores there are certain similarities. First, employees of grocery stores across the country are working diligently to provide for the public's need. To keep everyone safe, stores have implemented new cleaning procedures, ordered additional stock and in most cases limited the number of highly in demand items per person, such as toilet paper. Many stores have new hours to set aside more time to clean, stock and disinfect their stores. Some have set aside special hours for seniors and health-vulnerable customers. For their employees - who are risking their health for others - many have increased their benefits and sick leave. Store management asks that the public be understanding if their stores are out of certain items or are also delayed in their responses for pickup orders. They strive to do the best they can in these times. They also ask shoppers take precautions to keep everyone safe. They should wash their hands, keep a safe distance from other customers and employees, stay home if they are sick, and do not hoard items (buy what you need.) People should also shop for necessity not for leisure. They remind their shoppers that employees are there to help customers but they want to stay healthy as well.   BJ’s (Gainesville)  wholesale club, membership required Hours: 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sr. Hours: Sundays 8 a.m.- 9 a.m. (65+) Limits: may put limits on certain items. Cleaning: high traffic areas frequently like cart handles Online: will continue online and mobile app, may be delays Closing: Optical section More info   COSTCO WHOLESALE (Manassas)  wholesale club, membership required  Hours Cleaning: increased protocol for sanitizing, including shopping cart handles, shelves, front-end registers. Limits: on certain items More info   GIANT (Gainesville)  Supermarket   Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Senior Hours: 6-7 a.m. daily (60+) Limited items- 2 per person, including paper good and disinfectants. GIANT Direct Delivery “contactless” delivery options. Experiencing some shortages More info   HARRIS TEETER (Bristow, Gainesville)  Supermarket Hours: 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. Sr. Shopping: Monday, Thursdays 6 a.m.- 7 a.m. (60+)  Sr. Online Shopping: “Express lane” online pickup for seniors only every Thursday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. waive all fees. 5% Senior Club discounts. Products Limited per customer: water; toilet paper; canned meat; pasta; cleaning supplies; certain cold, flu, allergy meds. Not accepting returns, rain checks, outdoor fundraisers Reduced in store seating Other Protections: protective shield at checkout should be installed by Mar. 26, social distancing, employees will not touch customer’s reusable bags. More Info   SAFEWAY (Bristow) Supermarket Limits on in demand items per customer Grocery Delivery, Pharmacy Delivery and Drive up still available. “Contact-Free” delivery option. More Info    TARGET (Gainesville, Manassas)  Department Store/ Supermarket Hours: closing all stores by 9 p.m. to deep clean. Special Hours: First hour of shopping every Wednesday for 65+, pregnant women, or vulnerable as per CDC definitions. Limits on these items per costumer: hand sanitizer, toilet paper, disinfectant wipes, dry goods like soup and pasta, milk, eggs, bottle water and “and more.” May be delays on order pickup and drive up orders Sanitizing: checkout lanes and touchscreens will be cleaned every 30 min. No food sampling, closed fitting rooms. More info    LIDL (Manassas)  Supermarket  Hours: 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. Enhanced protection: deep cleaning measures, protective barriers, signage about social distancing Employees seniors employees encouraged (paid) to stay home They may change or update. More info   WALGREEN’S (Gainesville, Bristow)  Pharmacy and convenient store  Hours: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m., drive through only for 24-hr stores Sr. Shopping: 8 a.m.- 9 a.m. Tuesdays More info   WALMART (Haymarket, Manassas Mall, Manassas)  Department store, Supermarket Hours: 7 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., or regular opening hours if later (stores will be sanitized during closed hours.) Special Senior Hours: Tuesdays at 6 a.m. until April 28 (60+) Limited items per costumer: paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, formula and baby food. Shut Down: Auto Care Centers (in Virginia salons must be shut down) Still Open: Vision Centers More info   WEGMAN’S (Gainesville)  Supermarket, Restaurants  Hours: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. in Virginia and most locations Sr. Shopping Hours: none “We do not believe putting an entire population of highly susceptible people together in one location, at one time is a good idea. Limited Items: those in high demand. E-commerce: limited due to high demand. Health & Safety: increased frequency of cleaning, hand sanitizer stations, guidelines for register cleaning, visual indicators to help people in line social distance. Sections Closed: self-served areas, café seating, coffee shop, prepared food, bakery, in-store pubs. More info   OTHER STORES ALDI grocery (Manassas) CVS (Bristow, Gainesville, Manassas) pharmacy & convenience DOLLAR GENERAL (Nokesville) convenience, grocery & retail DOLLAR TREE (Gainesville) convenience, grocery FOOD LION (Manassas) supermarket TRADER JOE’S (Centreville) specialty grocery WHOLE FOODS (Fairfax) specialty grocery, Supermarket This is not an extensive list, but Bristow Beat aims to cover most of the local stores residents frequent. There are certainly smaller family-run stores that would appreciate business as well! This information was compiled on Mar. 25, 2020.