Why Costco Can Force You To Wear A Mask When You Shop

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DALLAS 1080 KRLD- It seems Costco has often been at the center of the simmering debate over required protective masks in stores and other public places.

A recent social media video viewed several million times shows a Costco employee enforcing the company's policy, which says customers must wear a mask while shopping.  In the clip shot by a non-compliant customer, the store worker calmly says, "Hi, everyone.  I work for Costco and I'm asking this member to put on a mask because that is our company policy."  The member then responds, "And I'm not doing it, because I woke up in a free country."

According to North Texas business law expert Robert Tobey, Costco is fully within its right to enforce the mask policy.  He said when customers purchase a Costco membership, they are signing a legal contract with the warehouse club.  That, he said, gives Costco the authority to implement and enforce company policies as it sees fit.