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Costco Canada Customers Will Need to Wear Protective Face Coverings Starting May 4th

Costco Canada Customers Will Need to Wear Protective Face Coverings Starting May 4th

By Thomas Kenzaki

[Updated: April 29, 2020, 7:15pm]

Since the original article was posted we've learned that the new policy will not be launched immediately at all warehouse stores, but rather with a slow roll out beginning on May 4, 2020. Which warehouse store(s) will be implementing the new policy at the beginning of the roll out is currently unknown to us. We will update this story as more information becomes available to us.

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During the current novel coronavirus pandemic, Costco Canada has been doing a great job at handling their in-store operations. Their latest change is happening on Monday May the 4th when all customers and employees will be required to wear face coverings in their warehouse stores.

The news follows other changes such as removing food samples, limiting the amount of guests allowed to shop at a time, adding special seniors hours, and giving priority access to healthcare workers and first responders.

While the Costco Canada website has yet to be updated, we expect it to follow the US Costco website which today updated their “Face Mask Requirements” section as follows:

“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.”

You’ll be able to use a handmade mask or scarf so don’t worry if you don’t have a n95 rated mask, which Costco likely knows are still difficult to find and/or expensive to acquire. As long as your nose and mouth are covered, you’ll be allowed in to shop.

Some customers may not like the change, but you can’t fault Costco for wanting to make the shopping experience as safe as possible for everyone during these trying times.

Since the pandemic began, Costco has been a leader in implementing new protective policies and practices to help keep shoppers safe. It’s evident by the large amount of praise they’ve received from RedFlagDeals.com members in our forum.

What do you think about the new change to require face coverings in their warehouse stores? Let us know in the comments below.

39 Comments

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  • GeeCee
  • tew
    • Why speculate, just check Costco's website. It has all of their Covid-19 updates. You should remove Canada from the title until or if they add this requirement here.
    • Report Post
  • peteryorkuca
    • If Costco sells facemasks, I would use it when I shop there.
    • Report Post
  • b0ne
    • If Costco sells facemasks, I would use it when I shop there.
      Or provides them at the entrance.
    • Report Post
  • TomRFD
    • Or provides them at the entrance.
      Would be a pretty nice member perk.
    • Report Post
  • b0ne
    • Would be a pretty nice member perk.
      I'd settle for one with a big costco logo or fake smile on the front. :-)
    • Report Post
  • TomRFD
    • According to my Costco source, Canada will also require face coverings as of Monday May the 4th. It doesn't need to be an actual mask though. Things like scarves are ok too.
    • Report Post
  • EugW
    • May the force be with you.
    • Report Post
  • hill15
    • According to my Costco source, Canada will also require face coverings as of Monday May the 4th. It doesn't need to be an actual mask though. Things like scarves are ok too.
      Will this be Canada wide. Is this posted somewhere.
    • Report Post
  • Spinner
    • Great news!

      Hopefully, this will shorten the lineups as I still see one quarter to one third of customers still without even a surgical mask.
    • Report Post
  • Totalmayhem
    • Looks like I won't be going to Costco anymore. Facemasks annoy me so much when I wear them that I can't help but "adjust" them constantly. Since touching your mask once defeats the whole purpose of the mask (because your mask becomes contaminated the minute you put it on), I'm more of a danger with the mask on than without one.
    • Report Post
  • sixer
    • Awesome news!

      Now to take away the memberships of those that don't social distance 6.5 feet and we'd have a perfect shopping experience.
    • Report Post
  • Totalmayhem
    • Looks like I won't be going to Costco anymore. Facemasks annoy me so much when I wear them that I can't help but "adjust" them constantly. Since touching your mask once defeats the whole purpose of the mask (because your mask becomes contaminated the minute you put it on), I'm more of a danger with the mask on than without one.
    • Report Post
  • blackbirdman
    • Looks like I won't be going to Costco anymore. Facemasks annoy me so much when I wear them that I can't help but "adjust" them constantly. Since touching your mask once defeats the whole purpose of the mask (because your mask becomes contaminated the minute you put it on), I'm more of a danger with the mask on than without one.
      Same, I have a very sensitive nose, I tried wearing many different face masks but every few minutes my nose would start to itch. It definitely wouldn't work for me
    • Report Post
  • konfusion666
    • Hopefully they introduce this requirement to Canadian Costco locations too...
    • Report Post
  • startoss
    • Good. Wearing a face mask should be mandatory. You are spreading micro droplets in the air just by talking on your phone while shopping. Yes a face mask can become contaminated but it's better than contaminating your lungs. Learn how to dispose it properly and wash your hands after taking it off.
    • Report Post
  • Ballroomblitz1
    • Reasonable request considering the times we find ourselves in.

      My only concern is members who cannot find a mask to purchase at a reasonable cost. Costco should have individual masks on hand to sell outside the store should a member need to purchase one for $3 bucks each. Do not need to sell bundles of them, just one individual mask per person so they can do their shopping.

      I am considered an essential worker and have enough for my immediate family, many others do not have that and unable to source.
    • Report Post
  • sixer
    • Reasonable request considering the times we find ourselves in.

      My only concern is members who cannot find a mask to purchase at a reasonable cost. Costco should have individual masks on hand to sell outside the store should a member need to purchase one for $3 bucks each. Do not need to sell bundles of them, just one individual mask per person so they can do their shopping.

      I am considered an essential worker and have enough for my immediate family, many others do not have that and unable to source.
      You can make your own, tons of instructions online. Wrap a scarf around your face tightly, whatever you can do.

      In Germany all citizens going into public must have a face mask or wear $5000 US fine I believe I read. This is what we need!
    • Report Post
  • dealisdead
    • Once the mandatory ID2020 is implemented to identify people not up to date with the latest vaccines, I hope Costco uses it along with mandatory mask usage and social distancing rules, to cancel anyone shopping there, and anywhere for that matter.

      I'd also like to see them cancelled from opening a bank account or having a credit card or access online. I mean, like Costco these are all private businesses and they can do what ever they want.
    • Report Post
  • smartie
    • You can make your own, tons of instructions online. Wrap a scarf around your face tightly, whatever you can do.

      In Germany all citizens going into public must have a face mask or wear $5000 US fine I believe I read. This is what we need!
      But is home made mask effective or just prove you wear mask to avoid fine?
    • Report Post
  • sixer
    • But is home made mask effective or just prove you wear mask to avoid fine?
      Definitely more effective than breathing/coughing out airborne particles which could infect others and stay on surfaces for extended periods of time.
    • Report Post
  • RockyMtns27
    • I’d love to see Costco offer curbside pickup.

      They would absolutely clean up, all while reducing the people in their stores and increasing employment while they’re at it.
    • Report Post
  • Pochacco
    • According to my Costco source, Canada will also require face coverings as of Monday May the 4th. It doesn't need to be an actual mask though. Things like scarves are ok too.
      Can you ask your source why they still haven't updated yet ?? 🤣

      All I see is the update for senior hours
    • Report Post
  • Pochacco
    • Great news!

      Hopefully, this will shorten the lineups as I still see one quarter to one third of customers still without even a surgical mask.
      Really doubt it especially if it isn't just masks. We can use cloth , bandana etc. Anything to cover faces
    • Report Post
  • netmerc
    • For those who are looking for a fairly quick home made mask that has reasonably good filtration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usKgChGqVl0

      Keep in mind that these masks are not so much to protect you but more to prevent the unsuspecting asymptomatic spreader from spreading the disease. As such, if we ALL wear a mask than my mask protects you and your mask protects me and together we can get protection that is close to what someone in a fit-tested N95 mask would get alone.
    • Report Post
  • netmerc
    • FYI there is NO logical medical concern about touching your mask or general face. The virus isn't going to mutate legs and walk down your cheek into your mouth or nose. If you do find you are adjusting your mask a lot that's fine, just make sure you remove properly and either dispose of it or set it aside in a ziplock bag to be disinfected or put away for 9-10 days before reuse.

      To properly remove a mask sanitize your hands, remove the mask out and away from your face while holding your breath, then re-sanitize your hands. When you get home you can wash your face and/or take a shower.
    • Report Post
  • hill15
  • Pochacco
  • CanAm
    • Seems kinda late for all that now
    • Report Post
  • smartie
    • Really doubt it especially if it isn't just masks. We can use cloth , bandana etc. Anything to cover faces
      Here is my Halloween ninja turtle costume in handy
    • Report Post
  • SquadG
    • Where can I get masks ? Its OOS everywhere nearby according to online stock. I dont have scarfs.
    • Report Post
  • oicthat2013
    • Where can I get masks ? Its OOS everywhere nearby according to online stock. I dont have scarfs.
      etsy canada sells reusable cloth masks.
      if you have sewing skills and a sewing machine, you can make your own cloth mask out of t-shirt.
      https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nc ... rings.html
    • Report Post
  • hill15
    • Where can I get masks ? Its OOS everywhere nearby according to online stock. I dont have scarfs.
      If your on Facebook, many groups making and selling them. Some money going to health care workers.
    • Report Post
  • LNahid2000
  • TomRFD
    • Can you ask your source why they still haven't updated yet ?? 🤣
      The latest I've learned is that Costco changed it from a nationwide roll out on Monday, to a slow roll out starting on Monday. I don't have any more details than that right now but my source has never steered me wrong yet. Maybe since they haven't yet finalized their plan, they are holding off on updating the website.
    • Report Post
  • LizH32669
    • well I won't be shopping at Costco - hate masks - have trouble breathing with one on. Lots of other stores open
    • Report Post
  • GayleW55031
    • It doesn’t matter if you keep adjusting your face mask. The mask is to protect the people around you. No mask will protect you unless it is an N95 mask, which we don’t need for daily life. So wear your mask or scarf to protect the rest of us.
    • Report Post
  • pumpkinpies
    • For those who are looking for a fairly quick home made mask that has reasonably good filtration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usKgChGqVl0

      Keep in mind that these masks are not so much to protect you but more to prevent the unsuspecting asymptomatic spreader from spreading the disease. As such, if we ALL wear a mask than my mask protects you and your mask protects me and together we can get protection that is close to what someone in a fit-tested N95 mask would get alone.
      can you explain how a mask protects the non wearer while it doesnt protect the wearer ?
    • Report Post
  • Bebo123
    • According to my Costco source, Canada will also require face coverings as of Monday May the 4th. It doesn't need to be an actual mask though. Things like scarves are ok too.
      What?!?
      Can you please ask your source how on earth are people going to eat Costco samples while wearing a mask? Was not well thought out by Costco. 😐
    • Report Post