Shelves empty out in Pahrump

EDITOR’S NOTE: Last updated on Sunday, March 15 at 9:30 a.m. Smith’s hours in Pahrump updated.

Shoppers reported empty shelves in Pahrump retail stores, along with long lines on Friday, March 13, amid the spread of COVID-19.

Shoppers have reported empty shelves from Nye County and through Clark County, intermittently, over the last several days. Some of the items sought after have been water, toilet paper, paper towels and hand sanitizer and hand soap. Other items included diapers and baby wipes.

Walmart hours of operation changes

Walmart is planning to shift its hours of operation staring on Sunday, March 15. All Walmart and Walmart Neighborhood Markets will operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., the company announced in a written statement on Saturday, March 14 from Dacona Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Walmart, U.S.

“This will help ensure associates are able to stock the products our customers are looking for and to perform cleaning and sanitizing,” Smith stated. “Stores currently operating under more reduced hours (for example they regularly close at 10 p.m. or open at 7 a.m.) will keep their current hours of operation.”

The statement continued: “As we make this change, associates will continue to work the hours and shifts they are scheduled, and our supply chain and trucking fleet will continue to move products and deliver to stores on their regular schedules. As a reminder, we have a temporary COVID-19 emergency leave policy to support associates at this unprecedented time.”

Smith’s Food & Drug hours, limits

Operating hours at Smith’s Food & Drug have shifted to 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. until further notice, at the Pahrump location at 601 S. Highway 160, according to the customer service desk on Sunday.

Kroger, the grocery chain’s parent company, had announced on Friday that store hours at all stores were being limited to 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Smith’s has been limiting purchases of cold, flu and sanitary products since early March.

Other measures listed in a March 13 release from Kroger include “Cleaning commonly used areas more often, including cashier stations, self-checkouts, credit card terminals, conveyor belts and food service counters, and cleaning shelves when restocking products.”

The release also stated that restrooms were being sanitized more frequently, along with restocking of soap, paper towels and hand sanitizer, was also listed among several new fronts by the company.

COVID-19 Highlights

—President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over COVID-19 on Friday, March 13.

—Gov. Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency in Nevada on Thursday, March 12.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates