(Yicai Global) Feb. 24 -- Costco Wholesale is limiting shopper numbers to 2,000 at a time at its Shanghai store and requiring they wear masks, as the US membership-only warehouse club looks to meet government requirements aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

The government had warned Costco about preventing the spread of the disease on Feb. 21 after masses flocked to the store in Minhang district and authorities conducted an in-store inspection, The Paper reported, citing a notice from the company to its Chinese mainland members.

Several Costco members have reported car parks at the store being packed full and that it was difficult to maneuver shopping carts around the store due to the vast number of people. Many were lining up to buy tiramisu and croissants and circling the same shelves several times to get their hands on products, and some customers were removing their masks after entering the shop -- an issue Costco reportedly did not address previously.

Costco is the largest members-only warehouse club in the US and opened its first physical store on the Chinese mainland on Aug. 27, proving an instant hit. It has operated almost as normal since the COVID-19 outbreak but trimmed its opening hours to between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Feb. 5. Staff at the store have been testing shoppers' temperatures upon entry.

The firm also plans to open a second Shanghai store in Kangqiao town, Pudong New Area, where it has won the rights to a plot of land but has not yet drawn up a schedule for construction.

Editor: James Boynton