Costco joins other stores giving priority access to health workers, first responders

Costco updated its coronavirus policies to include priority access to members who are healthcare workers or first responders, the company’s website says.

That means any members who present official identification of their role will be allowed to move to the front of the line to enter warehouses, according to Costco’s website.

“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,” Costco said in an announcement on its website.

The company is also offering special hours for members 60 years or older. Priority access for healthcare workers and first responders follows a policy Costco implements allowing only two people per membership inside stores, according to Costco’s website.

Costco is the latest grocery chain to offer special access to healthcare workers during the coronavirus pandemic. All 500 Winn-Dixie stores in the southern region of the United States will stay open from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, “exclusively for healthcare providers, firefighters, fire rescue workers and members of law enforcement,” CBS12 News reported.

Other major chains are also offering discounts to healthcare workers and first responders.

“Dollar General stores are offering a discount for medical personnel, first responders and National Guardsmen working on the frontlines,” during the coronavirus pandemic, according to NBC5 in Chicago.

“To demonstrate our heartfelt gratitude for these individuals’ tireless service to their communities, we are proud to help support them with this discount,” Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said in a statement obtained by NBC5.

This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 4:18 PM.