The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, announced it is temporarily adjusting store hours to better serve customers and communities in response to COVID-19. Beginning Thursday, March 19, stores  will now close daily at 6 p.m., while opening hours will remain unchanged.

As an essential retailer to the communities it serves, The Home Depot is committed to keeping stores open just as it always does during times of crisis and natural disaster. Homeowners and businesses depend on The Home Depot for urgent needs such as hot water heaters, refrigerators, cleaning supplies, electrical and plumbing repairs, and harsh weather items like tarps, propane and batteries.

The adjusted hours will give stores the ability to staff appropriately and provide additional time to restock shelves and perform cleaning. As many items across our store are in high demand, the Company's merchants and supply chain teams are prioritizing replenishment and restocking as quickly as possible.

The Home Depot is also expanding its paid time off policy to address the needs of hourly associates to help alleviate some of the challenges they may be facing as a result of COVID-19. Starting this week, all hourly full-time associates will receive an additional 80 hours of paid sick or personal time, and part-time hourly associates will receive an additional 40 hours of paid sick or personal time. These hours can be taken anytime from now until the end of the year. If associates are diagnosed with COVID-19 or advised by health or government officials to self-quarantine due to direct COVID-19 exposure, they will continue to be paid during that time.

"Our customers rely on us for urgent repairs, products, and materials, and we've always been committed to serving them during times of crisis and natural disaster," said Craig Menear chairman, CEO and president. "I want to thank our associates and suppliers for their dedication and hard work to ensure we're there for our communities during this challenging time."