Pick n Pay will open all its supermarkets and hypermarkets an hour earlier every Wednesday for elderly customers to shop for their groceries. This comes after the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
According to Business Tech, the initiative will start on Wednesday 18 March and stores will be open exclusively for customers over the age of 65 years from 7:00 until 8:00.
Pick n Pay tries to limit busy spaces for the elderly
Pick n Pay explained that customers should have a valid ID to enter the store during the specified time.
“A special shopping hour for pensioners was a great suggestion by our online community and we very quickly worked with our stores to make this a reality,” said head of marketing at Pick n Pay, John Bradshaw.
“All our actions are focused on supporting the well-being of our customers. We know that the Coronavirus is more of a threat to older people, and it is thus especially important that our older customers limit the number of times they are in busy spaces as much as possible,” he added.
“This dedicated shopping hour for our elderly customers will give them exclusive use of the store,” he went on to say.
Pick n Pay said that every Wednesday, all Smart Shoppers over the age of 60 will also earn double points in-store. Customers can claim this voucher at the Smart Shopper kiosk or mobile app provided they have updated their Smart Shopper profile with their date of birth.
How to protect the elderly from the coronavirus
According to the New York Times, there is no evidence yet that older people are significantly more likely to acquire coronavirus than younger people.
Medical experts, however, say that if people over 60 are infected, they are more likely to have severe, life-threatening disease, even if their general health is good. Older people with underlying medical conditions are at particularly high risk. Experts attribute some of the risks to a weakening of the immune system with age.
Besides the norm of good hygiene and washing hands for 20 seconds, some experts are recommending that older adults at risk cancel nonessential doctor’s appointments, including wellness visits. Telemedicine sessions, if available, are often a reasonable substitute.
Another fear is that social distancing may affect routines in ways that can compromise the vitality of older adults. Emphasis has also been placed on the importance of maintaining good habits, including sufficient sleep, healthy eating and exercise.
Source: The South African Read More
