Costco to limit meat purchases amid nationwide outbreak at processing plants

KIRKLAND, Wash. -- The coronavirus outbreak at meat plants nationwide has limited their capacity and has prompted Costco to now impose limits on the amount customers can buy, the company announced Monday.

Fresh meat purchases are now temporarily limited to three items among beef, poultry and pork products, their web site says.

According to a CDC report released Friday, more than 4,900 workers at meat and poultry processing facilities have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, including 20 who died. The illnesses occurred among 130,000 workers at 115 facilities in 19 states, according to the CDC. Some states didn’t provide data, so the actual count is believed to be higher.

With so many employees staying home because they are sick or worried about getting sick, many plants are operating only at half capacity, says Mark Lauritsen, who directs the meatpackers division at the United Food and Commercial Workers union.

President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday ordering meat plants to stay open.

Monday is also the date when Costco's mandatory face mask policy went into effect for all customers and employees, with exceptions granted only for those under two or have a health condition that prevents wearing a mask.

In addition, the company is expanding their "senior shopping hours" to Monday through Friday from 9-10 a.m. Only guests 60 and older or those who have a health condition that places them at higher risk for COVID-19 exposure will be allowed to shop during that time.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.