Walmart to cut hours at 24-hour stores amid coronavirus concerns

Walmart 24-hour locations will reduce hours beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File

Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File

Walmart 24-hour locations will reduce hours beginning Sunday, March 15, 2020. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Amid the nation’s growing concern over the coronavirus threat, Walmart announced in a blog post Saturday evening that it would cut back on hours at its 24-hour locations across the United States starting Sunday.

Dacona Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Walmart U.S., wrote: “To better support our associates and serve our customers, we will adjust our operating hours beginning Sunday, March 15. Walmart stores and Neighborhood Markets will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. until further notice. This will help ensure associates are able to stock the products our customers are looking for and to perform cleaning and sanitizing. Stores currently operating under more reduced hours (for example they regularly close at 10 p.m. or open at 7 a.m.) will keep their current hours of operation.”

She also noted its policy for employees in which Walmart has “a temporary COVID-19 emergency leave policy to support associates at this unprecedented time.”

Read the full corporate announcement in the blog post here.

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