Costco Will Require All Shoppers To Wear Face Masks Starting Monday

TOPLINE

All Costco customers will be required to wear a face mask inside stores starting Monday, the company announced Wednesday, making it the first major U.S. retailer to mandate its customers wear face coverings.

KEY FACTS

Crucial quote

“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,” the company said.

Key background

Though Costco is experiencing an uptick in sales amid the pandemic, some employees told Buzzfeed News the company wasn’t doing enough to protect employees and was slow to implement firm coronavirus protocols. The company did not respond to questions from BuzzFeed.

TANGENT

Costco announced that it would set aside 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday for senior-only shopping at some stores and customers can bring their own reusable bags as long as they load the bag themselves. Costco also will no longer accept returns of toilet paper, bottled water, sanitizing wipes, paper towels, rice and disinfecting spray.