Costco.... AIBU to be confused?!

[PinkSnowAndStars]

* Disclaimer - this thread isn’t for a fight on masks or no masks*

Genuinely interested if what they’ve done is legal and I can’t work it out.

Apparently Costco have said you have to wear a mask or a face shield or you aren’t coming in.

I work in healthcare. I’m not exempt and I do wear a mask, but totally get that some people can’t manage it. But it’s a membership only thing, so does that change the law? Is there a law? I’m so confused.

Dr Google isn’t helping me work it out.

AIBU - it’s legal and they can do what they want.
YANBU - it’s illegal and discrimination.

Private business though - can’t they make their own rules/ts&cs - they can let in who they want and ban who they want surely?

Similar to how airlines are saying they won’t allow unvaccinated people on their aircraft

A local taxi company have gone for the approach "its your right not to wear a max if exempt but it is our drivers right not to accept you if not" and they say if you are exempt to inform them and they will allocate to a driver comfortable to accept.

I fully agree essential places exemptions are fair enough but non-essential it should be the right of the owners IMO.

Costco is an American company and over here they were one of the first to really shut down and say no mask no entry to enable them to stay open and keep people safe. Over here a business is private and can choose who it will allow inside, they have to provide “reasonable adjustments” to shop if you can’t wear or refuse to wear a mask. Those include click and collect, curb side pick up or online orders.

I think it's perfectly sensible and reasonable.

Nobody NEEDS to go to Costco. There is nothing you get from Costco that you can't get online. Your health is not in danger if you cannot go to Costco.

The people who cannot wear a face covering of any kind are few and far between, and I imagine if you have a disability so bad you need some assistance - and therefore would have someone to do your shopping for you.

You can shout about discrimination as much as you like, but you can't put other people's health at risk in the name of equality.

It’s interesting. I think where there’s a clash in domestic law issues like public health will take precedent.

The adjustments “only” needs to be reasonable e.g. can’t force a listed building to build a ramp.

If they offer click and collect service and bring thing to members outside that’s definitely reasonable.

Might be interesting to tweet Adam Wagner and ask his view (he’s a human rights lawyer who has been providing a lot of information on the law around Covid).

Isn't it similar to an airline saying you can't fly without a mask? I've seen reports of American Airlines enforcing that without noticing any outcry on social media. Presumably because most of the population would rather fly with a strict mask policy. One could argue that not being allowed to fly is a more serious restriction on non-mask wearers than not being allowed to shop in person at a members-only discount store.
There are many stores to shop at, click and collect and online shopping. True that Costco just became the perceived "safe-haven" shopping destination for people with health anxiety.

I wish more businesses would follow Costco’s example , fair enough of folk have proof there exempt but too
Many folk doing it and spoiling it for genuine folk

I feel that if you cannot possibly wear any face coverings, and according to a doctor on BBC news recently that it's only a tiny minority, then you need to get a food delivery and supermarkets have the wherewithal to prioritise vulnerable customers ( I have such a slot for my mum.)

A mask is essential if you're going out and about in public.

Human rights are not any good when you are dead.

So many disablist comments already. It’s disappointing.

There are people who CAN’T wear a face mask.

Creating rules than ban these people for entering certain shops and places is discriminatory. Period.

Exactly, no-one NEEDS to go to Costco, it’s a choice.

I think its perfect. People should be able to have somewhere to shop where masks are actually enforced. If you can't wear one you can visit the myriad of other shops that don't give a damn about face coverings and let everyone in. Everyone catered for.

I would like more shops tp enforce this.

Far far too many not wearing masks.

Jesus this site is depressing at times, because it doesn't affect you, then its ok.

Much like people for years saying JSA was not enough to live on, then suddenly people are finding themselves on it and suddenly realise its not enough to buy that 52 inch TV.

Smacks of I am alright Jack,

@Yoshinori There are people who CAN’T wear a face mask.

There are people who’s mental health means they CAN’T go into a shop where people are unmasked.

Why do the non-maskers rights trump those who can’t be around unmasked people?

Surely having both types of shops mean there is somewhere for everyone to shop?

Oh a d generally the people not in masks in our supermarket are arrogant plebs who CBA. The last time I spoke to someone about it, he cited asthma, but couldn’t tell me what meds he was on.
Anyone with a proper reason should just have an exemption certificate.

@Heyahun

Private business though - can’t they make their own rules/ts&cs - they can let in who they want and ban who they want surely?

Similar to how airlines are saying they won’t allow unvaccinated people on their aircraft

Well, no, not generally. I don’t know how the law applies to masks specifically but it’s not right to say private businesses can just decide to ban who they want. They can’t do so if there is a discriminatory element to the ban eg they can’t decide not to allow in disabled people, black people, gay people.

Anyone with a proper reason should just have an exemption certificate.

From where? The ones online anyone can print off? GPs have said they won’t do them. I don’t disagree with you that everyone who can wear one should wear one, but there is no “official” certificate and the legislation specifically says that there is no requirement for anyone who exempt to carry any proof.

I’m surprised that there are still so many people unaware of how disablist this kind of policy is. Disabled people or those who can’t wear masks for other reasons have the same right to shop in Costco as everyone else.

There will be some non-exempt people who will take advantage, and not comply with the rules, but this should not prevent exempt individuals from not wearing masks and being allowed into the stores nevertheless.

Reading some of the posts is making me wince on behalf of those who can’t wear masks. The pandemic is not their fault.

I'd say it has yet to be decided by law whether or not their rule is discrimination and therefore illegal. I'd say somebody would have to challenge it in court.,

Live abroad. No mask in a public place = Big fine, let alone going in a shop. Strangely most people seem to cope. I am sure there are some few really genuine exceptions where this is a problem, but I am not seeing it here.

@RaskolnikovsGarret no one has the right to put others at risk