Face Coverings To Be Required For Newington Costco Shoppers

NEWINGTON, VA — Costco shoppers will soon need to wear a mask or face covering to enter its Newington and other U.S. warehouse locations, the company announced Wednesday. The new policy goes into effect Monday, May 4. The requirement doesn't apply to children under the age of two or anyone who's unable to wear a mask due to a medical condition, said the company.

"The use of a mask or face covering should not be seen as a substitute for social distancing. Please continue to observe rules regarding appropriate distancing while on Costco premises. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation," the company said in a statement.

Wearing face coverings or masks is encouraged but not required in Virginia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend wearing face coverings in public places like grocery stores where physical distancing is hard to maintain. The Fresh Market, which has Alexandria and Vienna locations, started a face covering requirement for customers on April 14.

Normal operating hours will start back for most Costco locations on May 4. Shopping hours for seniors ages 60 and up as well as people with disabilities will be 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Other customers will not be admitted during this hour.

Costco allows one or two people per membership card to shop at a time. The warehouses continue to give priority access to health care workers and first responders such as police officers, medics and firefighters. These customers can present a Costco membership card and identification of their work, and they can move to the front of the line to enter.

Costco's locations in Northern Virginia include Newington, Hybla Valley, Arlington, Woodbridge, Manassas, Fairfax, Sterling and Leesburg.