From April 8, Co-op Kobe's stores have taken the following measure to ensure that people who need social considerations can shop with a sense of security, as Co-op Kobe anticipates the congestion in their stores due to the emergency declaration by the government.

■Thirty minutes from the opening time of each store is set aside as "shopping time for the exclusive use of elderly people aged 65 years or older, physically disabled persons, and pregnant and nursing women."

The measure is being carried out in all Co-op Kobe stores except Co-op Mini, the small size stores.

Co-op members whom this measure does not apply can do shopping in this priority time, but the Co-op has asked them a favor of avoiding shopping as much as possible.

In Japan, the number of such stores is still small, but it is expected that the number of those stores will increase in the future.

Tapes before cash counters. Customers line up ensuring enough intervals between each other.