H-E-B and Kroger starting new store hours and precautions

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- H-E-B is extending temporary hours of operation across all stores in Texas, the company announced.

Starting today, H-E-B stores are open at 7 a.m. and will close at 10 p.m. until further notice.

H-E-B released the following statement:

"With an improving supply chain and stronger product availability, our stores have the capacity to serve more customers throughout the day while providing the products they want at our everyday low prices. Along with our new hours, we continue to ease product limits on many items and customers will start to notice many popular departments reopen, such as our bakery, deli and floral departments. Even with our extended hours, our stores remain diligent in following H-E-B's strict hygiene and sanitation measures as well as proper social distancing protocols. We have dedicated teams of Partners and COVID Action Managers who are trained to ensure sanitation and social distancing procedures are properly followed. All Partners in customer-facing roles are required to wear masks."

Most H-E-B pharmacies continue to operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and their normal weekend hours.

The pharmacies listed below will follow their normal hours:

• Falfurrias: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Aransas Pass: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Gatesville: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Port Lavaca - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Mexia - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Pearsall - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• San Antonio MARC (8300 Floyd Curl Dr.) - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Carrizo Springs - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Odessa (540 W. 5th) - 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

• San Antonio Specialty - 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

• Wimberley - 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Additional protective measures include Plexiglass partitions at all check stands, metered entry into stores, crowd control guidelines to manage customer traffic, deep cleaning and sanitizing of stores and hard surfaces as well as fuel stations throughout the day, and contact-free H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery to limit direct interaction.

As far as restaurant operations at H-E-B go, some have closed temporarily.

Flaming Bird, South Flo Pizza, Table 620, 3009, Oaks Crossing, The Roastery Meyerland and some True Texas BBQ locations will be closed until further notice.

All H-E-B convenience stores operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

In addition, all Joe V's Smart Shop locations are open daily from 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Also starting today, Central Market stores change their store hours to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Mi Tienda locations will update store hours to 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kroger also announced a change to its store hours. Starting Monday, April 27, all Kroger stores in the Houston area will open a 7 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.

Kroger released the following statement:

"As part of our commitment to serve our customers and communities, we are pleased to announce our expanded store hours of 7am - 11pm starting next week," said Joe Kelley, President of Kroger Houston. "We understand that many essential workers continue to work late hours, and Kroger is committed to meet the needs of those on the front lines by staying open later than any other Houston grocery retailer. This is in addition to rolling out SNAP and EBT payment through our Pickup service, offering the no-fee, low-contact service to more families looking for fresh, affordable food while maintaining physical distancing."