Costco announced on Wednesday that it would give priority access to healthcare workers and first responders during the COVID-19 pandemic. By doing so, they have become the largest grocery chain to allow special access to workers during the pandemic. This decision runs in conjunction with the company’s efforts to provide special shopping hours to customers 60 years old and older. Not to mention, Costco joined Target and Sam’s Club in announcing that they would be closed on Easter to allow employees a day of rest during the pandemic.
“Costco is temporarily allowing priority access to our warehouses for Costco members who are healthcare workers and first responders such as police officers, EMTs and firefighters,” the company writes on its website.
“Healthcare workers and first responders who present a Costco membership card and official identification of their role will be allowed to move to the front of any line to enter the warehouse,” the company adds.
This announcement comes as several local government officials have called on Costco, Target and other essential businesses to stop selling non-essential items. These items can include clothing and electronics that are often available. Most notably, the state of Vermont has issued an executive order to prohibit the sale of non-essential items at certain stores.
