Costco instituting face-mask requirement amid coronavirus spread

PHOENIX — Costco announced Wednesday new changes to its policies and hours of operation as the state continues to battle the coronavirus spread.

Effective Monday, all shoppers are required to wear a mask or face covering that covers the mouth and nose at all times while inside a store, Costco said on its website.

The requirement does not apply to children under the age of 2 or to people who are unable to wear it due to a medical condition.

Costco added that while the mask or face covering may help against the spread of the virus, they should not be seen as substitutes for social distancing.

Additionally, Costco has limited the amount of people entering the store to just two per membership card.

“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,” Costco President and CEO Craig Jelinek said 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.”

Costco also announced a change in its hours of operations. Starting Monday, most Costco stores and gas stations across the country will return to normal business hours. The company had changed their regular hours to 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. as COVID-19 was becoming more and more prevalent in the country.

For shoppers 60 years or older or those with disabilities, special operating hours at select locations will be Monday through Friday, from 9 to 10 a.m. Guests will not be allowed. The pharmacy will be open, but the food court will be closed during these hours.

There are nine Costco locations in the Valley, including six in Phoenix.

On Wednesday, state health officials reported 11 new deaths, increasing the total to 304, and 254 additional positive tests, pushing the case total to 7,202 in Arizona.

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