NEW YORK—As the impact and spread of the coronavirus pervades much of the U.S., several more major regional and national optical retailers and eyecare practices have made the difficult decision to close their doors temporarily or modify their hours and services to customers and patients. As the week progressed, VMAIL checked in with several companies who debated the decision, and cited the CDC 's recommendation to focus on emergency and urgent care needs and postpone routine eyecare visits, which were issued earlier this week.

In addition, pointing to health care organizations, city, state and government experts' requests to start to encourage people to "shelter in place' and "flatten the curve" of exposure to the virus, retail leaders, practitioners and other professionals made the call.

Earlier this week, VMAIL reported on the decisions of National Vision and of MyEyeDr to temporarily close their locations. On March 17, VMAIL reported on the decision of the Visionary Innovation Partners and Warby Parker decisions to close their offices and stores for a period of time.

At VMAIL press time last night, a Luxottica spokesperson told VMAIL, "Luxottica’s optical retail brands in North America—LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Target Optical—remain open at reduced hours to provide essential care to patients and urgent care to customers who need it during this critical period. We continue to apply our heightened cleaning protocol and additional precautionary measures like social distancing for these patients in our stores."

The Luxottica spokesperson also said, "After careful consideration, we have decided to temporarily close our Sunglass Hut and Oakley retail stores across North America. Our hope is that in taking this action, we will do our part to help 'flatten the curve' by limiting interaction and exposure between our customers and our own employees. We will monitor the situation and keep everyone updated on when it is safe to reopen.”

Mony Iyer, vice president, specialty health care services, Walmart Health and Wellness, who oversees the company's 3,000 Walmart Vision Centers, told VMAIL, "This is certainly an unprecedented time, and I know we all our thinking of the wellbeing of our communities at this time. We are sharing information on our corporate site on what we are doing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and take care of our associates and customers. " Iyer pointed out the published blog post from Dacona Smith, chief operating officer for Walmart U.S., "about our reduction to essential services in Vision Center and special hours for senior citizens. We will definitely share additional information as it comes available."

In Florida, Edward Beiner of Edward Beiner Group, told VMAIL, "As of 6:00 p.m.Thursday, March 19, all our 12 boutiques will be closed as we take a proactive stance to protect our customers, employees and doctors. As we work to care for and protect our community, the Edward Beiner Group, a subsidiary of New Look Canada, continues to position ourselves for the future. We understand that these are difficult times and we wish all to be safe."

Shopko Optical provided VMAIL this statement, “As this unprecedented situation continues to unfold, we monitor updates on an hourly basis which is critical in our mission to continue to provide needed optical care along with the safety of our teammates and patients. On Wednesday, March 18, after careful consideration of the updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Optometric Association (AOA), and other state and federal agencies, we decided to temporarily postpone routine eyecare services in all locations. Our centers are remaining open only for medically necessary/urgent needs and critical pick-ups and repairs through April 6.”

Wisconsin Vision, Heartland Vision and Eye Boutique informed staff on Thursday that they have “made the difficult decision to temporarily close” all 38 locations to patient care (specifically eye exams) as of 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19. The company will have non-doctor team members at all locations on March 20 and March 21 to contact patients to reschedule appointments and provide curbside dispensing. The offices will remain staffed with one non-doctor team member at each center Monday-Friday, March 23-April 3 (9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.). Patients will be allowed to have curbside pickup or miscellaneous urgent repairs (nosepad, screws, etc.) of eyewear during that time. The company’s intent is to re-open Monday, April 6, according to the statement.

“We had hoped to remain open and available for any patient needs, but at this time, we are making the right decision when balancing the needs of team members, doctors, patients, and the public,” a statement noted. The statement was signed by Paul George, chairman of the board; Andy George, president and CEO, LBC Optics, and Darren Horndash, president and CEO, Wisconsin/Heartland Vision Eye Boutique.

Tim Mayhew, CEO of Luxury Optical Holdings (LOH) which operates the Morgenthal Frederics stores, told VMAIL, “All 28 of our stores are closed for the next two weeks but we are open virtually for emergency appointments. Given the urging of Federal and State health experts to promote social distancing, we have made the decision to temporarily close our boutiques beginning Tuesday, March 17.“

In New York, Metro Optics communicated to customers, "Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in line with CDC.gov recommendations, we are limiting services at all Metro Optics' Bronx locations for the time being. The company encouraged people in need of urgent care at its 25 Westchester Square location or to call a posted number if they are experiencing loss of vision, pain or burning sensations and eye irritations/infections or injuries. Customers can place eyewear orders as well as pick up completed eyeglass or contact lens orders and most eyewear repair services would remain available in locations.

In Los Angeles, Bill Barton and Patty Perreira informed their customers and associates late Wednesday that they have made "the difficult decision to close all four of their Barton Perreira stores immediately until further notice." The stores are in Aspen, New York, Nashville and Kansas City. "Our corporate headquarters will be operating with minimal staff until March 20 until further notice. We believe in protecting the health of our employees and communities and will do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our retail stores are committed to assisting digitally with email any emergency eyewear needs.