Virginia’s Alcoholic Beverage Authority has adjusted its daily opening hours to noon at its 395 stores. The new hours went into effect Monday.

Increasing numbers of ABC’s retail employees continue to be affected by COVID-19, making staffing in stores difficult, according to a release from Virginia ABC. This change in hours will enable Virginia ABC’s limited workforce to better serve its customers. Store closing times will remain the same.

“Like other retailers affected by pandemic-related staffing shortages, we are modifying our store hours to reduce the need to close stores because of employee quarantines,” said CEO Travis Hill. “Opening at noon meets the needs of the majority of our customers, most of whom prefer to shop in the afternoon.”

Virginia ABC continues to follow safety measures recommended for retailers by the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All ABC stores are equipped with Plexiglas shields at registers and underg...