Costco gives health workers, first responders priority access

Costco on Wednesday updated its coronavirus priority policies to give priority store access to health care workers and first responders. 

“Costco is temporarily allowing priority access to our warehouses during all open hours for Costco members who are healthcare workers and first responders such as police officers, EMTs and firefighters,” the wholesale giant’s website reads. “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.”

Costco is the latest grocery chain to offer special access to health care workers during the coronavirus pandemic. The update comes in addition to special hours it has allocated for people 60 and over, who public health officials have said are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus. 

Grocery stores — which are one of the few businesses allowed to remain open amid widespread stay-at-home orders — have become overwhelmed with customers since the start of the pandemic.

Costco, along with Target and Sam’s Club, also announced this week that it will be closed on Easter Sunday to give employees a day to rest.