Emergency service workers have been given a helping hand during the coronavirus pandemic.

Coles has extended its dedicated shopping hour for the elderly and vulnerable shoppers to include people on the frontline.

If you hold an Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) card, have a workplace ID or are wearing your work uniform, you will get access to the special shopping time of 7am-8am on Tuesday and Thursdays.

The measure will include doctors, nurses, paramedics, hospital and ambulance staff, police and firefighters.

Coles Group chief executive officer Steven Cain said: “In the past week we have seen the Community Hour help vulnerable and elderly Australians access essential grocery items during this challenging time.

“We are now extending this opportunity to those Australians who are protecting our community and keeping us safe.

“We know these workers are incredibly busy and hope that providing them with a dedicated hour at the beginning of the day to shop will make their lives a little easier and support the vital work they are doing every day.”

The dedicated hour was originally brought in to allow members of the community who can’t run into a supermarket and elbow a few people out of the way to get the last bit of produce or toilet paper pack.

But it was pointed out that emergency service workers, who have been pulling long shifts during the Covid-19 pandemic, were often left with very little to buy after finishing work.