A lot of grocery stores and supermarkets are making new changes in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
We’ve seen stores limit entry of customers to a certain number and implement certain policies like installing sneeze guards and directing traffic one way through aisles.
Well, Costco has taken an additional step and on May 4 will be requiring all customers to wear face coverings that will cover up the nose and mouth. These will be required for all individuals except for those two and under and is not meant to decrease social distancing.
“The use of a mask or face covering should not be seen as a substitute for social distancing,” Costco stated. “Please continue to observe rules regarding appropriate distancing while on Costco premises”
We are now seeing more companies requiring masks.
For example, the airlines JetBlue just announced that masks will be required for all passengers and others like Lufthansa are following suit.
These mask policies usually start by requiring staff and employees to wear masks and then eventually it gets applied to customers.
The timing is very interesting because we are seeing a lot of states getting ready to open up as we go into May. No state has met the 14 day decline criteria suggested by the White House, however so many believe that these places are opening up too soon.
If more large stores like Costco and perhaps Walmart and Target require face coverings, it’s possible that they could play a role in curbing the spread of the virus while things begin to open up. Most states are opening up with many restrictions for places like restaurants so requiring masks (where practical) could add to the safety of customers.
I would expect to see more establishments make masks mandatory through the month of May as they try to balance opening back up with the safety of their customers and staff. Thankfully, it seems the US has made a lot of progress over the past few weeks with its stigma attached to wearing masks.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
