Costco has announced another major policy change for shopping at its U.S. warehouse locations.
Members and guests will be required to wear a mask or face covering when they shop. The new policy goes into effect May 4.
Costco says the requirement does not apply to children under the age of 2 or those 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. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” the company said in a statement.
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Most locations will also resume normal operating hours starting May 4. The company previously cut back store hours to close at 6:30 p.m.
The store’s senior hours for customers 60 years and older will continue. Those are set for 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. Frontline workers will also have priority hours.
Costco currently operates nine locations in metro Atlanta and one location in Augusta. The company says to check with your store to see if they are resuming normal hours.
Costco isn’t the only company that will require shoppers to wear masks. The Fresh Market, which has several locations throughout metro Atlanta, also added that to its policy.
Kroger grocery chain says they are only encouraging shoppers to wear masks.
On Tuesday, JetBlue became the first U.S. airline to require all travelers to wear masks. That policy goes into effect May 4.
Other airlines like Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines say they aren’t requiring but strongly encouraging customers to wear masks with their employees.
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