Several Rite Aid pharmacies in the region, including in Palmerton and Tamaqua, are scheduled to close.

The Rite Aid pharmacy in Palmerton, 601 Delaware Ave., is scheduled to close on May 24, while the Rite Aid pharmacy in Tamaqua, 205 Center St., is scheduled to close May 22.

For customers of the Rite Aid in Palmerton, prescriptions and health record databases will be transferred to the Rite Aid pharmacy in Walnutport, 200 S. Best Ave.

Also listed to close is the Rite Aid pharmacy at 15 W. Centre St. in Mahanoy City.

According to an emailed response from Rite Aid’s press inquiries to questions submitted by Times News Media Group: “After considering all alternatives, the only viable path forward for Rite Aid is to once again commence Chapter 11 proceedings.

“We will use this process to pursue a sale of our prescriptions, pharmacy and front-end inventory, and other assets. While we do not yet know what the outcome of this process will be, we are in active discussions with multiple potential buyers.”

In addition to the response from Rite Aid’s press inquires “it is important to note, however, that any store operations or assets we do not sell through this process will no longer be owned or operated by Rite Aid.”

This means that over the next few months all Rite Aid distribution centers will close, and all stores will either close or be operated by a new owner. During this process, customers can continue to access pharmacy services and products, including prescriptions and immunizations, both in stores and online.”

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry will host a virtual Rapid Response Information Meeting for employees affected by the recently announced Rite Aid layoffs which affected hundreds of workers in both central and southeastern Pennsylvania.

The session will provide important information to help impacted workers during this career transition, like PA CareerLink services, unemployment compensation guidance, health insurance enrollment, and additional local and state resources.

The meeting will take place online from 1-2 p.m. Registration is required. Impacted workers can sign up online.

“Suddenly losing employment and having to determine your next move can feel overwhelming and intimidating. But L&I is here to help during this challenging time,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “Our Rapid Response team is working to ensure those impacted by Rite Aid’s layoffs have access to the resources and support they need to help them transition to meaningful employment opportunities that offer family-sustaining wages.”

Future meetings for affected Rite Aid workers are currently being organized; in the meantime, L&I encourages workers to reach out to their local CareerLink for more information and services.

Rapid Response Services are federally funded benefits free to employers and workers through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). For more information about requesting Rapid Response Services, please visit PA.gov.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.

Attorney General Dave Sunday is advising Rite Aid consumers that they have until June 6 to use any gift cards, coupons or other Rite Aid rewards due to the company’s recent bankruptcy announcement.

Beyond that date, consumers cannot redeem gift cards, Rewards Programs points or bonus cash.

Also, the stores will stop accepting returns or exchanges on June 4.

“I am encouraging Rite Aid customers to make returns and exchanges, and redeem gift cards and rewards points as soon as possible,” Sunday said. “These deadlines are approaching fast, and accrued points and gift card balances will soon become valueless.”

New Rite Aid LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey on May 5.

The bankruptcy court entered an order shortly thereafter establishing a deadline by which consumers must use their Rite Aid gift cards either online or in stores. After June 6, Rite Aid gift cards will no longer be accepted and will have no remaining value on the cards.

Potential returns are still subject to Rite Aid’s refund and exchange policy.

Any consumers who experience issues redeeming their Rite Aid points, coupons, unused gift cards, or with returning merchandise to Rite Aid should submit a complaint to the Bureau of Consumer Protection online, or they may contact the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-441-2555.