Here are all the major grocery-store chains around the world running special hours for the elderly and vulnerable to prevent the coronavirus spread

In a March 16 statement, the company announced that it would adjust its hours of operation and close early.

It said the first hour of each shopping day would be dedicated to senior shoppers.

"Beginning tomorrow, Dollar General is strongly encouraging that the first hour of operations each day be dedicated solely for the shopping needs of senior customers, who are one of the groups most vulnerable to the COVID-19 coronavirus," the statement said.

"In keeping with the Company's mission of Serving Others, Dollar General wants to provide these at-risk customers with the ability to purchase the items they need and want at the beginning of each day to avoid busier and more crowded shopping periods."

Stores will also close one hour earlier to allow employees to clean and restock shelves.

Target announced that it would reserve the first hour of shopping each Wednesday at stores nationwide for "vulnerable guests," including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.

"We are encouraging other guests to plan their shopping trips around this timeframe," it said.

Beginning March 18, all stores will close at 9 p.m. to allow employees to clean and restock store shelves.

Walmart said it would be introducing temporary changes to its store hours, including adjusting operating hours to 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily to allow for enhanced cleaning.

It added that it would host an hour-long "senior shopping event" every Tuesday for customers aged 60 and older from March 24 to April 28.

This event would start one hour before the store opens to the public, and includes its pharmacies and vision centers.

The grocery store chain said that it would open early to service their "most vulnerable" customers from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. every day from March 19.

"During those hours, we look forward to welcoming customers who are age 60 and over as well as customers who may have weakened immune systems and are more susceptible to COVID-19," the statement reads.

"We plan to make these hours available EVERY day during this period, so it's not necessary for everyone to come on the first day. This could result in large crowds, the very situation we are looking to prevent as it will make it more difficult for customers to practice social distancing."

The New York-headquartered chain said it be open to shoppers aged 65 and older as well as those with "increased susceptibility to serious illness" from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday, from March 18 onwards.

Fairway also said it would increase the frequency of sanitizing high-traffic areas in-store, as well as allow users to continue paying for items using its mobile checkout app.

The Fresh Market said it would designate special shopping hours — 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. from Mondays to Fridays — to seniors and other individuals most at risk.

The Northgate Gonzales Market chain will implement special senior hours at all of its 41 Southern California locations.

Senior citizens and customers with disabilities will be able to shop from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily. The store will be open to the general public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Coles, an Australian supermarket chain, said it would launch a dedicated "Community Hour" to improve access for the elderly and those with disabilities from March 18.

Community Hour will be held Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

To enter the store, customers need to present a government-issued identification card verifying their age or disability.

Woolworths, another Australian chain, said it would temporarily introduce a dedicated shopping hour for the elderly and those with disabilities.

The retailer said it will be opening exclusively for the elderly and those with a disability from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. from March 17 to March 20.

Customers will need to present a government-issued concession card to obtain entry.

Iceland, a British supermarket chain, will open its stores from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. exclusively for the elderly.

Nationwide, a major UK bank, will also open one hour early for its senior customers across 100 branches.

H-E-B, a San Antonio-based grocery store, told CNN that it would not be changing its store hours, citing recommendations from health officials.

"We feel asking a group to congregate at our stores in a certain time frame is not a safe idea," the company told CNN.