For those who enjoy shopping in bulk, your local Costco warehouse is the place to go. Known for their fair prices and free samples, this wholesaler has long been a family favourite. While you’ll need a membership to shop, which will set you back about $60 a year, you can find a variety of items including groceries, clothing, appliances, and even gas for your car. However, many customers may be unhappy to learn that Costco just announced it will be ending a popular policy on April 18th. Read on to learn what you can’t do from Monday.
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During the pandemic, many stores offered vulnerable shoppers and frontline workers the opportunity to shop exclusively during certain hours. With the deal to themselves, often earlier in the day, these shoppers could safely browse while reducing potential COVID exposure.
Costco was one of the facilities that took extra precautions, but the company just announced that starting April 18, it will no longer be offering these set hours to members aged 60 and older, healthcare workers (including pharmacists and hospital workers), or First Emergency responders (police officers, rescue workers and firefighters).
This means you only have one more day this week to take advantage of these special opening hours – commonly referred to as “senior hours” which, with few exceptions, take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, generally between 9am and 10am.
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Costco has been offering this benefit to certain members for over two years, beginning in March 2020, USA Today reported. When they were first announced via a Facebook post on March 24, the special hours were set from 8am to 9am Tuesday through Thursday. In May 2020, when normal operating hours were reinstated, Costco warehouses moved the stipulated time by one hour from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., but increased the policy to every day of the week.
Costco members with disabilities and those with compromised immune systems have also been invited to take advantage and shop with less risk during the pandemic. This was in line with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations regarding vulnerable populations.
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In the summer of 2021, Costco had planned to do away with “senior hours” entirely on July 26. However, as we all know, COVID is unpredictable. As cases mounted, the wholesaler pulled back and decided to limit off-peak hours to twice a week, AARP reported.
“Rather than discontinuing, we will maintain opening hours for seniors on Tuesdays and Thursdays until further notice,” Richard GalantiCostco’s chief financial officer told USA Today at the time.
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If you took advantage of those hours, you should pay a visit to your local Costco tomorrow. Most locations have their hours of operation between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., but certain locations, including Culver City, California; Iwilei (Honolulu), Hawaii; and Brooklyn and Westbury, New York still have their special hours of 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. amae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
If you’re concerned about shopping in-store, Costco recommends visiting their website. “Members who do not wish to shop during regular hours can visit Costco.com for all their shopping needs,” the company said on its COVID-19 updates page.
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