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Target bolsters coronavirus protections for shoppers ahead of holiday season hours

Target stores are enacting additional safety protocols to help shoppers get in and out of its stores – or not even enter the store – ahead of the holiday shopping season.

Like other major retailers, Target made changes at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, including additional disinfecting and cleaning, as well as curbside pickup of orders. Now, the retailer is adding measures to make shoppers feel safer on their holiday excursions.

"We are doubling down on safety by adding new measures and by further innovating across our popular offerings," said Target CEO Brian Cornell.

Among the advances is an update to the Target mobile app's Wallet payment option so it can be used to checkout in a contactless manner, bypassing a scanning device. Shoppers can also check on Target.com/line to see whether there's a line at their local store before heading out. If so, they can make a reservation and get a text message when they can enter the store.

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Throughout Target stores, there will be more MyCheckout devices, which let store team members check out customers without waiting in lines.

"Many of the measures just focus on contact-free shopping. It’s here to stay," Cornell said. "And we certainly hope guests will continue to use their mobile devices and our team members will be equipped with devices to continue to check guests out in different parts of our stores."

Target is also making it easier for customers to use its Drive Up service by letting shoppers show their app through the car window to get purchases they have made online. The total number of Drive Up spots will be doubled, expanded by nearly 8,000 more nationwide, providing more spots for drivers to pull up and have purchases brought to their cars. Guests can also change their order using Order Pickup or Drive Up even after getting to the store.

Children and adult apparel are also available for same-day delivery through its grocery delivery service Shipt.

"Right now, we want to really make sure we are the easiest place to shop in America," Cornell said.

Target will open at 7 a.m. on Black Friday, but its holiday season hours were not announced. The retailer will be closed on Thanksgiving this year, the first time since 2011.

The retailer will offer Black Friday prices throughout the month of November and is extending its Price Match Guarantee from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24. As part of that program, Target will match select competitors' prices within 14 days of the purchase, and get a price adjustment for any item advertised as a “Black Friday deal” at Target or Target.com, if it is offered for a lower price at the store or online.

Target also will match its own prices on other purchases if they are found for a lower price within 14 days of a purchase.

The store began requiring shoppers to wear masks at its stores nationwide Aug. 1, as did many other national retailers.

Back in March, Target reduced hours, dedicated shopping hours to vulnerable guests, and began providing disposable face masks and gloves each shift. The following month, the retailer began monitoring guest traffic at its stores nationwide when needed.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Mike Snider on Twitter: @MikeSnider.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Target expands coronavirus safety shopping measures for holiday season