There is little difference in shopping at a grocery store and a hardware store.  Both usually involve a rolling cart or basket.  Both have aisles with shelves stocked with products. The exchange of money or credit card payment at the checkout lane is also identical.

Social distancing rules would be in place and observed, as well as, limiting the number of customers into the store at any given time.  Just like it is shopping for food.  It does not make sense that hardware stores are still closed to foot traffic at this point.

Plumbing and electrical problems tend to occur at all the wrong times anyway and certainly do not wait for events like the coronavirus to pass before striking.

Though some restrictions are gradually being eased, this is one that is long overdue.  Let the hardware stores open so people can start to take care of home repair issues, please.