GOUVERNEUR — Kinney Drugs is giving its 3,252 hourly employees a raise and installing new pharmacy shields as the novel coronavirus continues to spread.

Pharmacies are among a number of businesses deemed “essential” by the state and exempt from closure requirements.

All Kinney Drugs locations now have acrylic shields installed in the pharmacy drop-off and pick-up areas and at the front registers to protect customers and employees and help stop the spread of coronavirus, a company news release reads.

All Kinney Drugs hourly employees were also been given a $2-per-hour raise effective March 20, according to Kinney Drugs President and CEO of KPH Healthcare Services David Warner.

“Currently, this temporary increase is planned through the end of April, at which time we will reassess as conditions warrant,” Warner said in a statement. “The pressure and stress associated with these disruptive times for you and your families, is something your KPH Healthcare Services family would like to support you through.”

Kinney Drugs has 97 locations throughout New York and Vermont, including in Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake and Lake Placid.