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Costco to require face coverings

| April 29, 2020 11:06 AM

Starting Monday, Costco is requiring its members and guests to wear masks or face coverings that cover the mouth and nose at all times while at Costco.

“At Costco, as we continue to manage our way through this crisis and support our communities, our employees have been working extremely hard, and we’ve made countless and extraordinary changes in our warehouses, depots, manufacturing facilities and offices,” said Craig Jelinek president and CEO, Costco Wholesale, in a statement on the company’s website. “These measures have been for a single, overall purpose: to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of Costco employees and members.”

The requirement does not apply to children under the age of two 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,” the press release said. “Please continue to observe rules regarding appropriate distancing while on Costco premises.”

Jelinek said the changes Costco has made to its business include: limits in locations on the number of members; social distancing in lines; enhanced sanitation; limited services in certain businesses; modified weekday hours; plexiglass shields at checkstands; and special hours for seniors and high-risk groups.

A few examples of how the retailer is taking care of employees include premium pay; paid time off for higher-risk employees; protective masks and symptom screenings; and remote work for office employees.

“The issues presented by this crisis are new to all of us, and we at Costco don’t pretend to have all the answers. We are not perfect,” Jelinek said. “But every step of the way, we’ve done our best to take care of our employees, take care of our members and support our communities. And we will continue to do so.”