Grocery stores have been doing everything in their power to assist customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Since grocery stores are considered essential, they won’t be closing anytime soon, which means many are creating a new set of requirements to keep shoppers safe.
Starting May 4, any shopper that visits a Costco store is not going to be able to enter unless they are wearing a face mask. This new requirement is honestly a long time coming and many are thankful the company is doing what it can do to safeguard its customers. The leading health organizations, including the World Health Organization and the CDC, believe that facial coverings do wonders when it comes to slowing the spread of the virus.
It may be inconvenient and annoying today, but you just might be saving a life. First responders and healthcare workers are also going to be given special priority and be allowed to skip the lines. Costco already has policies in place to protect its most vulnerable shoppers, as special hours are being dedicated to the elderly and disabled.
The store is also putting a stop to the practice of allowing more than one or two people to use the same membership card. From here on out, only two people will be let in for each membership card. There are some experienced Costco shoppers who believe that these rules should have already put into place, regardless of global pandemics.
The Costco website provided the following statement about the new guidelines that are being enacted at their stores:
To protect our members and employees, effective May 4, all Costco members and guests must wear a mask or face covering that covers the mouth and nose at all times while at Costco. This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 2 or to individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition. The use of a mask or face covering should not be seen as a substitute for social distancing. Please continue to observe rules regarding appropriate distancing while on Costco premises.
Costco has also put restrictions on the return of items and the food court has been modified as well, as shoppers are only able to order items “to go.”