The lineup to get into the Costco in Kelowna is seen in this file photo from April 7, 2020.

(ROB MUNRO / iNFOnews.ca)

Canadian Costco shoppers are not expected to wear a mask before they enter a store.

“It’s voluntary if someone wants to wear a mask,” a Kelowna store employee said Thursday morning, after an announcement taking a stricter approach from the U.S. Costco made the rounds.

Multiple calls to their media line have thus far gone unanswered, however, a look on the website of Costco Canada, the policy is simply outlined as following Health Canada’s guidelines. A customer service represenative on the call line said it's not being implemented, but it is being evaluated.

Costco is following Health Canada recommendations to keep locations sanitized.

"We ask our members to social distance by giving at least two metres of space between each person, and to cover all coughs and sneezes with an elbow," reads the update from Craig Jelinek, President and CEO, of Costco Wholesale.

"At Costco, as we continue to manage our way through this crisis and support our communities, our employees have been working extremely hard, and we’ve made countless and extraordinary changes in our warehouses, depots, manufacturing facilities and offices," Jelinek wrote.

Some of the more notable examples included limits in our locations on the number of members; social distancing in lines; enhanced sanitation; limited services in certain businesses; modified weekday hours; plexiglass shields at check stands; and special hours for seniors and high-risk groups.

Employees are getting protective masks, as well as premium pay and paid time off for higher-risk employees.

"The issues presented by this crisis are new to all of us, and we at Costco don’t pretend to have all the answers. We are not perfect," he wrote.

"But every step of the way, we’ve done our best to take care of our employees, take care of our members and support our communities. And we will continue to do so."

To contact a reporter for this story, email Kathy Michaels or call 250-718-0428 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2020