German grocer Lidl opened its new distribution center in Maryland ahead of schedule to meet a surging demand for food amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The 754,000-square-foot facility in Perryville will ultimately create 200 new jobs and “will serve as the backbone of Lidl’s regional store network, quickly supplying products to stores in five states,” the company said Tuesday.

The chain has its U.S. headquarters in Arlington.

The warehouse was scheduled to open in the late spring or early summer, but the date was moved as shoppers have flooded markets amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis that has spawned a shelter in place order by Gov. Larry Hogan.

Maryland posted 1,660 cases of the novel coronavirus as of Tuesday with 18 deaths. Hogan ordered all residents of the state to remain at home on Monday unless they have to go outdoors for essential purchases, like groceries or medicines, or to visit a doctor.

Johannes Fieber, CEO of Lidl US, said the company has already hired 150 workers…