Grocery stores have contended with a barrage of customers over the weeks as the coronavirus heightened fears over buying essentials. Stores introduced reduced hours, added dedicated senior hours, and implemented a series of other safety measures that were designed to protect customers as well as employees. But one grocery chain is ready to get back to normal and has eased up on some of its restrictions.

Grocery chain Publix Super Markets is ready to get back to its normal operating schedule and has expanded its store hours starting on Saturday. Stores will now be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the pharmacy returning to its normal schedule of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. as well.

Publix announced the change on Thursday along with disbanding its reserved shopping hours for those over 65, healthcare workers, and first responders, encouraging customers that like to shop when it is less crowded to do so “during the first hour of the day” when it can better accommodate the needs of those individuals.

Since the coronavirus pandemic started, Publix has enacted a series of sanitation and disinfection procedures at its stores and has placed purchase limits on some high-demand products. The company also offers curbside pickup and delivery of groceries and other items, which it offers as a service to those who need or prefer to avoid public places.

Employees at Publix are wearing masks and gloves when appropriate, and plexiglass shields have been placed at checkout lanes. The company is also reminding customers about social distancing and is limiting the number of people in its stores at any one time.

Publix has 1,242 grocery stores located throughout Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia.

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A woman shops for fruit at a supermarket in South Burlington, Vermont, Sept. 21, 2017. Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images
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