Purpose: The intent of this petition is to urge all Canadian grocery stores to open early for elderly & disabled individuals. This will give them priority in purchasing essential items, as well as encouraging social distancing through limiting the amount of people in the stores at these times. 

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic shelves of essential items have been left empty by panicked shoppers stocking up on goods. Take one scroll down any social media app and your feed will be riddled with pictures and videos of exhaustively long lines, and even as far as customers fighting for rolls of toilet paper. 

Despite provincial governments warning customers against panic buying, grocery stores remain packed with fearful buyers. Customers are seen stockpiling items far beyond necessity leaving others out of essentials. Stores are struggling to meet this unprecedented demand as shelves of essentials clear out only a few hours into opening.The race to stock up has become  problematic for Canadians as inventory levels of necessities begin to dwindle, and lines become increasingly long.

This becomes a precarious situation for elderly and disabled individuals who are unable to wait long hours and in turn cannot purchase vital items. Compound this with the fact packed grocery stores force individuals to be in close quarters with one another which breeds a high risk environment. This is especially dangerous for the elderly who are are more sensitive to the virus. In response to this, grocery stores abroad (and select independent stores in Canada) have introduced special shopping hours for the elderly and disabled to give them the opportunity to shop before the store is officially open. This gives them the opportunity to get groceries in a safe environment, as well as slows down the flow of people coming in contact. 

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, it is imperative as a country for us to protect those at the most risk.  Therefore, I am writing this petition to urge all Canadian grocery stores to follow suit with this decision. This will give  the more vulnerable individuals in our community:

1.  The priority to purchase essential items
2. Increase social distancing for these individuals by reducing the amount of people in the stores at this time
3. Allow them access to the store first thing in the morning when it is freshly disinfected 

Whether it being free online grocery shopping or a designated shopping hour, it is critical something is done.