Costco just made a huge change to its store policy–and customers are freaking out.
The wholesale chain started requiring customers to wear masks on Monday, May 4 in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The company is the largest US retailer to enact the rule, and the hashtag #boycottcostco quickly started to pop up on Twitter after the announcement.
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"I had 'get Costco membership' on my to-do list today- until I saw they’re requiring masks. Just lost my business," one user Tweeted.
"Mandating masks is a non starter. I’ll be cancelling my membership on May 4th when that goes into effect," wrote another.
Others alleged that requiring customers to wear masks posed its own health risks due to oxygen restriction, and even violated the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The leader of the ReOpen NC movement called for a boycott on Facebook as well. “They are within their rights to do this, but we are within our rights to shop elsewhere,” Ashley Smith’s post said.
ReOpen NC leader calls for boycott of Costco, Whole Foods for requiring customers to wear masks https://t.co/XAIW1hJFlq pic.twitter.com/xFiBYu56kj
— FOX8 WGHP (@myfox8) May 4, 2020
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In a release posted on their COVID response page, the membership store said the face coverings must cover the nose and mouth, be worn "at all times" in the store, and will not serve as a "substitute for social distancing."
The company has made other store policy changes during the novel coronavirus pandemic, including earlier closing times, store capacity limits and giving first responders priority admittance.
So--what do you think? Should more U.S. stores require face coverings, or is this a step too far?
