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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.

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  • Dragon120
    • Glad to hear and I hope the employees enforce them at the entrance. Last time I went to Costco Oshawa & Ajax, it was a free-for-all - like COVID never happened. Hardly anyone was wearing a mask nor following any social distancing measures nor any line-ups required to get inside the store. The employee at the entrance said out loud, "if you don't want to wear a mask, just walk in...there are no line-ups". When it's time to pay, "just pick a line, you don't need to social distance".
    • Report Post
  • death_hawk
    • Langley has 2 lines now. Those with masks and another for no masks. They're still handing them out for free.
      So whether or not you 'believe' masks are effective just put them or any other face covering on, for the employees to give them some piece of mind.

      If that doesn't convince you maybe the prospect of being denied service will.
      Don't get me wrong. I support your argument.
      But good luck convincing someone that already treated retail/service staff like they're beneath them to give any sort of respect.
      Spineless management doesn't help either.

      It's just common sense. The father away you are from someone who is sick the less likely you are to catch what they have. It doesn't mean you won't get sick but it's a lot less likely to happen.
      Image

      I'd rather be 6ft away, but lets face it, we're "not in a pandemic" any more based on how close people are standing to me. I should develop a cough.

      But I'm sure it's just warm and fuzzy.
    • Report Post
  • chimaican
    • Meant to update this on Friday. Now mandatory for Ontario and Quebec only.
      As it should be.

      Most municipalities in the urban areas (where most of their locations are) have instituted mandatory indoor masks, so the company might as well making it across the board mandatory for all their warehouses. The USA division pretty much did this as well.
    • Report Post
  • hill15
    • Meant to update this on Friday. Now mandatory for Ontario and Quebec only.
    • Report Post
  • Spinner
    • Effective Saturday, July 18, 2020

      Ontario and Quebec only:

      All members, guests and employees must wear face coverings. Members without face coverings will not be permitted inside the warehouse. This does not apply to children under the age of 2 in Ontario, and children under the age of 12 in Quebec, or to individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition.

      https://www.costco.ca/coronavirus-response.html
      Makes sense, epicenter province customers should be made to wear masks, especially now that Costco is swimming in mask inventory with enough for each member.
    • Report Post
  • Pochacco
    • Effective Saturday, July 18, 2020

      Ontario and Quebec only:

      All members, guests and employees must wear face coverings. Members without face coverings will not be permitted inside the warehouse. This does not apply to children under the age of 2 in Ontario, and children under the age of 12 in Quebec, or to individuals who are unable to wear a mask or face covering due to a medical condition.

      https://www.costco.ca/coronavirus-response.html
    • Report Post
  • BeachWalkerSWFL
    • Durham Region has just announced that masks will be mandatory at all inside public spaces beginning this Friday.
    • Report Post
  • BeachWalkerSWFL
    • Seems like you guys are both just repeating each other in different words. Point is moot anyway as no retailer that I know of (or care to go to) is stupid enough to try to make such a policy [here], so doesn't matter what they can/can't make mandatory or who needs whose permission; none of them are doing it, not the stores and not the province.

      In US they have other problems like much higher rates of contagion, far more cases, way more population, etc. Masks are still nonsense but they make people feel warm and fuzzy inside and drive the economy through more mask sales lol. Anywayyyy....


      /thread
      First of all, I haven't repeated anybody. I posted the original post on what the Oshawa Costco is doing based on what I experienced today.

      And regarding your comment about nobody making mask wearing mandatory in this part of the world, the TTC is making masks mandatory so there goes your theory. And regardless of whether or not any business would want to make them or any other condition mandatory, my comment that they don't need the govt permission to do so is still true.

      And once you convince all the doctors and nurses to stop wearing their masks in the hospitals during surgery and other procedures I'll then accept your theory that they are nonsense, that all they do is make people feel warm & fuzzy inside.
    • Report Post
  • ES_Revenge
    • Neither Costco nor any other business need Doug Ford's permission to impose any restrictions on what they choose to decide what is required of the public to enter their private business, regardless of COVID. I just posted what their current policy is and what they expect it to be for the near future. All that you did was repeat what I posted in different words.
      Seems like you guys are both just repeating each other in different words. Point is moot anyway as no retailer that I know of (or care to go to) is stupid enough to try to make such a policy [here], so doesn't matter what they can/can't make mandatory or who needs whose permission; none of them are doing it, not the stores and not the province.

      In US they have other problems like much higher rates of contagion, far more cases, way more population, etc. Masks are still nonsense but they make people feel warm and fuzzy inside and drive the economy through more mask sales lol. Anywayyyy....
      distancing > masks
      /thread
    • Report Post
  • BeachWalkerSWFL
    • Costco can still make wearing masks mandatory according to Doug Ford.

      Ontario won't make it mandatory for people to wear face masks in indoor establishments
      Neither Costco nor any other business need Doug Ford's permission to impose any restrictions on what they choose to decide what is required of the public to enter their private business, regardless of COVID. I just posted what their current policy is and what they expect it to be for the near future. All that you did was repeat what I posted in different words.
    • Report Post
  • 9thGenCivicSi
    • I was in the Oshawa Costco this morn. They were handing out face masks if you wished to wear one. I asked the lady about them being mandatory and she told me that they are following the provinces direction so they are only suggesting not demanding that you wear one.
      Costco can still make wearing masks mandatory according to Doug Ford.

      Ontario won't make it mandatory for people to wear face masks in indoor establishments
      Ford said that while he believes that requiring customers to wear face masks as part of a safety policy is a good idea, that decision should ultimately be up to retailers.
      “We want to work with the retailers. We don’t want to force anyone to do anything,” he told reporters.
    • Report Post
  • BeachWalkerSWFL
    • I was in the Oshawa Costco this morn. They were handing out face masks if you wished to wear one. I asked the lady about them being mandatory and she told me that they are following the provinces direction so they are only suggesting not demanding that you wear one.
    • Report Post
  • alexdealsCA
  • Pardon
  • alexdealsCA
    • Does anyone have any comfortable mask recommendations? (not talking heavy duty masks)
    • Report Post
  • hill15
  • vkizzle
    • Costco Canada has now fixed the heading on their Corona virus page to make it clear that masks are a Recommendation not a Requirement.
      Stores at my location are handing out masks for those that aren't wearing one, but they're not enforcing it.
      I witnessed many shoppers (SJW types) flat out refuse it and one even made a big scene on how it's some sort of a doctor conspiracy.
    • Report Post
  • mabba18
    • Posted on Costco.ca.

      Face Mask Requirement

      Public health experts recommend the use of masks or face coverings in public settings. To protect our members and employees, it is recommended that all Costco members and guests wear a mask or face covering that covers the mouth and nose, at all times while on Costco premises. This recommendation 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. 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.
      Costco Canada has now fixed the heading on their Corona virus page to make it clear that masks are a Recommendation not a Requirement.
    • Report Post
  • AncasterRFD
    • I think Costco has sat back and watched and done the math (like many others) and determined that the risk from this thing is actually not as bad as initially feared. We are not dropping dead in droves, and the casualties seem to be predominately in LTCs, retirement homes, and other more vulnerable areas.

      That doesn't mean relax, and it doesn't mean that we shouldn't continue to take things seriously. It just means that the initial panic phase appears to be over.

      And I agree that distancing > masks, for the most part.
      It would be premature and shortsighted as studies showing hospitalized cases shift to under 40y in early endemic areas as we are now protecting the vulnerable (eg: Washington state 20% to 40%). It also seems roughly only 1 in 10 do not experience symptoms based on population antibody testing of same so expect 90% of that cohort who get infected to feel it. We're just fortunate at the moment it's likely less than 5% total circulating, but that may change in higher increments as some yahoos think it's back to normal and ignoring current restrictions.
    • Report Post
  • tew
    • I think Costco has sat back and watched and done the math (like many others) and determined that the risk from this thing is actually not as bad as initially feared. We are not dropping dead in droves, and the casualties seem to be predominately in LTCs, retirement homes, and other more vulnerable areas.

      That doesn't mean relax, and it doesn't mean that we shouldn't continue to take things seriously. It just means that the initial panic phase appears to be over.

      And I agree that distancing > masks, for the most part.
      Especially when you see how a lot of people are wearing them. They pull them down to talk/use their phones or touch the front to adjust them and then they touch items in the store. Masks are a good thing if they are used properly but I think they can make things worse when people keep touching the area around their mouth and nose.
    • Report Post
  • NorthYorkEd
    • Even if it means having to wait in line outside, I would much rather be in a store where I can give people space, than in a store packed to the gills with people wearing masks.
      I think Costco has sat back and watched and done the math (like many others) and determined that the risk from this thing is actually not as bad as initially feared. We are not dropping dead in droves, and the casualties seem to be predominately in LTCs, retirement homes, and other more vulnerable areas.

      That doesn't mean relax, and it doesn't mean that we shouldn't continue to take things seriously. It just means that the initial panic phase appears to be over.

      And I agree that distancing > masks, for the most part.
    • Report Post
  • mabba18
    • Costco was doing much better weeks ago, now they have completely given up controlling the number of people in the store.

      Even if it means having to wait in line outside, I would much rather be in a store where I can give people space, than in a store packed to the gills with people wearing masks.
    • Report Post
  • dealisdead
    • It's just common sense. The father away you are from someone who is sick the less likely you are to catch what they have. It doesn't mean you won't get sick but it's a lot less likely to happen.
      Makes sense. And it would make more sense to be even further apart no?
    • Report Post
  • PointsHubby
    • +1

      I’ve revised my post, they shouldn’t being doing that at all. If they pick up infected respiratory droplets before their shift, they are bringing it to a vulnerable population. If it’s after their shift, they could be bringing it from LTC into Costco. I work in a hospital and don’t know anyone that shops in scrubs, and in our department we’re not even allowed to wear them out.
      My guess ...

      It’s PSWs ... not nurses & doctors
      (Should know better ... but clearly do not ... hence the outbreaks in LTC facilities )

      Or the real cynic in me ...
      People who aren’t in nursing / medicine ... and looking to get in on some of the perks (like early hours) offered to REAL FRONT LINE WORKERS
      Aka ... Posers, looking to hone in on something that’s not theirs
      Like HERO WORSHIP ... I mean look at the Dude a few years ago who posed as a Vet at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa

      Used to be, you had to be a Nurse or Dr to dawn a lab coat or scrubs
      Now you’ll see staff at the Dentist & Optometrist suited out in them too
      And their super easy to acquire ... even Marks sells them

      Some folks even buying & wearing them as leisure wear
    • Report Post
  • AncasterRFD
    • Health care workers should not be wearing scrubs in public for the very reason you noted. All it does is create un-necessary anxiety in the environment.
      +1

      I’ve revised my post, they shouldn’t being doing that at all. If they pick up infected respiratory droplets before their shift, they are bringing it to a vulnerable population. If it’s after their shift, they could be bringing it from LTC into Costco. I work in a hospital and don’t know anyone that shops in scrubs, and in our department we’re not even allowed to wear them out.
    • Report Post
  • tew
    • I wore a mask at the start, but haven't wore one when I started researching statistics about what is actually happening vs projected numbers. It's easy for the media to subvert a certain portion of the population. They lack critical thinking and regurgitate what they are told to think. You have to social distance "6 feet" to be safe? Sure it makes sense because the media told me it's 6 feet and now I'm safe.
      The scientific method is the cornerstone of science and universally accepted as the gold standard for determining fact from fiction.

      "If you repeat a lie often enough it becomes truth". Unfortunately this is true because a certain group of people believe things without performing due diligence and verifying for themselves. This makes them easily subverted.

      The "6 feet apart" protocol isn't science-based yet a lot of people believe it is, to the point where they will shame others who don't believe their untruths.
      It's just common sense. The father away you are from someone who is sick the less likely you are to catch what they have. It doesn't mean you won't get sick but it's a lot less likely to happen.
    • Report Post
  • dealisdead
    • This.

      Esp when it’s Science making these recommendations, based on the latest info / research

      Covid is extremely contagious best to err on the side of caution ... and as more is known make appropriate adjustments



      Oh goody ... another science denier, govt hater, media conspiracist.

      Tell ya what you do you ... and I will do me.

      Eventually you’ll catch up to realize the world ain’t flat ... or not
      In which case, Darwin will catch up with you sooner than later

      It all evens out in the end.

      Survival of the fittest and all that Jazz
      The scientific method is the cornerstone of science and universally accepted as the gold standard for determining fact from fiction.

      "If you repeat a lie often enough it becomes truth". Unfortunately this is true because a certain group of people believe things without performing due diligence and verifying for themselves. This makes them easily subverted.

      The "6 feet apart" protocol isn't science-based yet a lot of people believe it is, to the point where they will shame others who don't believe their untruths.
    • Report Post
  • JACKIE26
    • For anyone not wearing a mask, you need to, suck it for the short time you are in the store if for nothing else than to make the employees more comfortable. They work long shifts and we can all do this one small thing for them. The grocery stores here in Ancaster for the most part are only staffed my high school/university age employees. Every single on of them wears a mask. I asked the cashier at Fortino's tonight if she felt more comfortable at work with more customers now wearing masks, and she said 100% yes that all the employees do and it takes a lot of stress away for them. So whether or not you 'believe' masks are effective just put them or any other face covering on, for the employees to give them some piece of mind.

      If that doesn't convince you maybe the prospect of being denied service will.

      Ford says Ontario businesses can refuse to service to those who refuse to wear a face mask
      https://thepostmillennial.com/ford-says ... hL2Wb7pU6Y
    • Report Post
  • JACKIE26
    • I was in my local Costco a few hours ago, about 80% wearing masks now. But perhaps because of their new “recommended” policy, they’re letting way too many people inside. I was unable to social distance most of the time. The volume was definitely more than the previous weeks I’ve been.
      That store is a mess, I mentioned to you I had the same experience but just turned around and did not bother to go in, they were letting too many people in. Forget COVID even in normal times I would not have bothered to go in with that many people, its just annoying trying to get around the store with that kind of congestion. Plus I could not believe the lineup and how it snaked through the parking lot. I am done with the Ancaster Costco for the foreseeable future other than the gas station. I had to go into work the other day and on the way home decided to check out how busy the Laird Dr one in Mississauga was, and it seemed a million times better and not congested. I did not go in, just did a drive by out of curiosity.
    • Report Post
  • PointsHubby
    • well, you don't need media to tell you that 6 feet social distance is better than 1 foot. And the nature of the lowest common denominator is to always try to exceed the tolerance, just like speeding.
      This.

      Esp when it’s Science making these recommendations, based on the latest info / research

      Covid is extremely contagious best to err on the side of caution ... and as more is known make appropriate adjustments
      I wore a mask at the start, but haven't wore one when I started researching statistics about what is actually happening vs projected numbers. It's easy for the media to subvert a certain portion of the population. They lack critical thinking and regurgitate what they are told to think. You have to social distance "6 feet" to be safe? Sure it makes sense because the media told me it's 6 feet and now I'm safe.
      Oh goody ... another science denier, govt hater, media conspiracist.

      Tell ya what you do you ... and I will do me.

      Eventually you’ll catch up to realize the world ain’t flat ... or not
      In which case, Darwin will catch up with you sooner than later

      It all evens out in the end.

      Survival of the fittest and all that Jazz
    • Report Post
  • dealz4all
    • You have to social distance "6 feet" to be safe? Sure it makes sense because the media told me it's 6 feet and now I'm safe.
      well, you don't need media to tell you that 6 feet social distance is better than 1 foot. And the nature of the lowest common denominator is to always try to exceed the tolerance, just like speeding.
    • Report Post
  • bobcat99
    • Health care workers should not be wearing scrubs in public for the very reason you noted. All it does is create un-necessary anxiety in the environment.
      Maybe they do it to keep people away. 😃
      Better than getting into an argument with someone to backoff.
    • Report Post
  • skeet50
    • I’m gonna wear a better mask in there now. I saw some health care workers in scrubs, I hope it’s BEFORE their shift, especially if they work in LTC.
      Health care workers should not be wearing scrubs in public for the very reason you noted. All it does is create un-necessary anxiety in the environment.
    • Report Post
  • AncasterRFD
    • That's disappointing to read as a face mask provides little protection whereas increases in the number of people definitively increases the risks.
      I’m gonna wear a better mask in there now. I saw some health care workers in scrubs, they shouldn’t being doing that at all.
    • Report Post
  • dealisdead
    • Also because RECOMMENDED is a far more polite word than REQUIRED
      And well Costco Canada is a very polite Co
      Also ... recommended is the official stance by the Govt of Canada / Health Canada
      https://globalnews.ca/news/6963598/coro ... commended/

      But ya it will be the STUPID Snowflakes that decide they don’t need to ... protect anyone else from their germs
      With their faces 100% exposed ... let’s hope they don’t learn the lesson the hard way how WRONG they are

      Covid is bad. It’s not a cold / flu. For many (young or old) it’s life or death.
      Even a mild case can be life changing ... as we still don’t know everything about it’s long term effects / organ damage
      I wore a mask at the start, but haven't wore one when I started researching statistics about what is actually happening vs projected numbers. It's easy for the media to subvert a certain portion of the population. They lack critical thinking and regurgitate what they are told to think. You have to social distance "6 feet" to be safe? Sure it makes sense because the media told me it's 6 feet and now I'm safe.
    • Report Post
  • umopapisdnwei
  • l69norm
    • Lol him and his original video that he proclaimed he has 3k followers 😅
      I find the second video a little creepy.

      Like Kevin decided he’s going to post in reddit while he’s lying naked in bed.

      If Kevin decided he wanted to make it a partisan issue, you would think he would dress to appeal to the partisans - militia gear, combat fatigues, etc.
    • Report Post
  • Pochacco
    • Apparently, Kevin posted a video on reddit, but it got so much negative feedback that he deleted it

      https://streamable.com/bhyldq
      Lol him and his original video that he proclaimed he has 3k followers 😅
    • Report Post
  • PointsHubby
    • Sorry, I didn't mean the thread title I meant Costco's title for the recommendation that I put in bold. I did an edit on my post to clarify.

      I didn't explain my point well. I meant that if people only read the title of Costco's update some people could misinterpret 'Face mask requirement' as 'Face masks required' In another thread about Starbucks a reporter took the word 'requests' as meaning required/mandatory and wrote an article about 'Masks now mandatory at Starbucks Canada'. The article was later changed when the reporter realized her mistake.
      I get it.

      Lol ... REQUESTS another polite Cdn word

      We hate to come off too pushy. It’s just not our nature.

      On the other hand ... when it is truly REQUIRED / MANDATORY ... we don’t seem too reluctant to say that ... or enforce the law here.
    • Report Post
  • PointsHubby
    • I was in my local Costco a few hours ago, about 80% wearing masks now. But perhaps because of their new “recommended” policy, they’re letting way too many people inside. I was unable to social distance most of the time. The volume was definitely more than the previous weeks I’ve been.
      That's disappointing to read as a face mask provides little protection whereas increases in the number of people definitively increases the risks.
      This

      If that’s the case for the store you visited @AncasterRFD ... or worse everywhere

      Then Customers have to voice their displeasure ... and PUSH BACK ... by contacting Mgmt

      If you feel less safe

      It’s only thru Costco hearing complaints that they’ll take any action

      Hand washing & social distancing still remain the first line of defence
    • Report Post