Costco announced that they are still offering special hours for seniors, most vulnerable amid COVID-19.
With the recent increase of COVID19 cases, Costco is finding a way to help the elderly and high-risk individuals by opening special shopping hours for them.
According to Delish, Costco has updated its COVID-19 policies recently and announced that they would continue its special shopping hours for vulnerable customers.
The special policy is implemented with an indefinite period, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the United States. Related reports from USA Today stated that at most outlets, the designated hour for senior shoppers, members with disabilities, or immunocompromised is Monday through Friday from 9 to 10 a.m.
However, it was also mentioned on Costco's COVID-19 updates page that other locations might have varying special hours. This initiative started back on March 24 as a twice-weekly event, which was quickly extended to three times a week.
However, in early May, when regular hours were resumed, the clubs extended the senior hours to weekday mornings at most locations.
How pandemic changed Costco's policies
Costco has made several changes due to the pandemic and was one of the first retailers to require shoppers to wear masks. In addition, last month, they updated their policy to state that they will no longer make exemptions for individuals who claim they can't wear a face-covering because of a medical condition.
According to their new policy that started Nov. 16, all members, guests, and employees must wear a face mask or a face shield. This was a mandate to nearly 560 clubs nationwide. Meanwhile, kids under 2-years of age are still exempted from wearing a face-covering with the updated policy.
Additionally, they also confirmed on the COVID-19 updates page that they will still allow first responders and healthcare workers such as police officers, EMTs, and firefighters priority access into stores.
Senior shopping hours schedule
Senior shopping hours are open from 8 to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday for the following locations including Phoenix, Arizona; Newark, Delaware; Iwilei (Honolulu), Hawaii; Wheaton, Maryland; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Las Vegas, Nevada; Dedham, New Jersey; Teterboro, New Jersey; Wayne, New Jersey; Brooklyn, New York; Staten Island, New York; Westbury, New York; St. George, Utah; Virginia locations; and Washington D.C. Meanwhile, for Massachusetts and Oregon, senior shopping hours run from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m., daily.
For California Costco outlets, the senior shopping hours run from 8 to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday. The locations include Alhambra, Chino Hills, Burbank, Culver City, City Of Industry, Fullerton, Cypress, Garden Grove, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Hawthorne, La Habra, Lakewood, Irvine, Los Feliz, Monterey Park, Norwalk, Oxnard, Northridge, San Bernardino, Signal Hill, Torrance, Tustin, Oxnard, Pacoima, Van Nuys, and Woodland Hills.
For Bay Area locations, the senior shopping hours are from 8 to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday. Meanwhile, for Almaden, Cal Expo, Danville, El Camino, Modesto, Redwood City, Reno, Richmond, Sacramento, Salinas, San Francisco, San Leandro, Santa Cruz, South San Francisco, and Sunnyvale, the hours will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., Monday through Friday.
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