Costco Curtails Store Access In NJ Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Costco shoppers are facing new restrictions as of Friday, after the warehouse store tightened restrictions for members due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

In a notice posted on its Facebook page and the company's website, Costco said it is limiting store access to two people for each membership card.

"This temporary change is for your safety and the safety of our employees and other members, and to further assist with our social distancing efforts," the notice posted on the company's website said.

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Costco also has limited store hours, closing at 6:30 p.m. weekdays; stores with gasoline close at 7 p.m. on weekdays, 6:30 p.m. on weekends. There are special shopping hours for members age 60 or older and those with physical impairments, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. And stores are limitiing customers inside to 50 people at one time.

The changes come as companies try to come to grips with the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has sickened more than 25,000 people in New Jersey; 537 people in the state have died from the virus. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Costco employees have tested positive at work sites in other states, including its main offices in Washington state, Business Insider reported.

An employee at the Brick Costco may be infected with the virus, according to a letter distributed to employees of the store on Route 70 that was shared with Patch. The letter was unclear as to whether the person had been tested, but said the person had not been at work since March 23, and worked overnights.

The letter said co-workers who had been in close contact with the employee had been notified and that the store was doing additional cleaning and sanitizing to prevent the spread.

A request for comment from Costco about the letter was not answered, but the warehouse store is not the only company in the area that has had employees test positive for the coronavirus. ShopRite of Fischer Bay, on Fischer Boulevard in Toms River, posted a notice on its Facebook page that an employee at that grocery store had tested positive.

The Ocean County Health Department said there is no requirement that a store or business close if someone is confirmed to have the coronavirus.

The guidance from the state health department says if an employee is confirmed to have the virus, employers should inform fellow employees of their possible exposure to it in the workplace. But employers are required to maintain confidentiality under the American with Disabilities Act.

"The fellow employees should then self-monitor symptoms (i.e., fever cough, or shortness of breath)," the guidance said.

Costco CEO Craig Jelinek, in a message on the company's website, said the company has reduced services and increased its cleaning to help minimize the spread of the virus.

"As the global effect of coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, Costco is firmly committed to the health and safety of our members and employees, and serving our communities," he wrote.

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