Update, 12/9/20: A Target spokesperson confirmed the company's previously issued policy on returns is no longer in place. "Target accepts returns at our stores and most unopened items in new condition and returned within 90 days will receive a refund or exchange," the rep stated: "Target.com purchases can also be returned by mail using our online return center—sign in to your Target account to get started. We’ll continue to follow any state-ordered return restrictions."

The statement continued:

Additionally, we continue to follow guidance from the CDC when handling returned items. We clean and wipe down returned items with hard surfaces (like board games) before returning them to shelves and we hold items like apparel for 24 hours from the date of return before placing them back on the sales floor.

You can read more about Target's safety best practices for the upcoming holiday season here.

Original post, 3/23/20: Just about a week after Costco announced they would no longer accept returns on high-demand items, Target is following suit. In an announcement from CEO Brian Cornell on their website, the chain confirmed it will not be accepting in-store returns for at least the next three weeks.

"To be extra cautious, Target will stop accepting in-store product returns and exchanges for the next three weeks," Cornell wrote, "but don’t worry if you have a return that expires during that period, because we’ll still honor them three weeks past the holding period." Presumably, this applies to all returns and exchanges, rather than just ones on ones that have become more popular amid the coronavirus spread.

Effective immediately, Target employees will also no longer handle reusable bags. Paper and plastic bags will be available at checkout, and your local store will waive any corresponding fees associated with using them.

Furthermore, checkout lanes will be cleaned after each guest interaction, Cornell confirmed, and "dedicated team members will guide guests in line while that happens. For the foreseeable future, our stores will rotate the use of our check lanes to allow those not in use to be deep-cleaned."

Target also recently adjusted store hours; most locations will now close at 9 p.m. and the first hour of shopping each Wednesday will be reserved for "vulnerable guests."

For more information on Target's new policies, you can read Cornell's open letter in full here.