Costco stores in Canada may be seeing some absolutely massive lineups due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but thankfully healthcare workers and first responders are being given a pass to skip that line.

The membership-only warehouse chain is certainly a hot spot for consumers to stock up on bulk quantities of things like granola bars and ketchup right now, but those working to save lives on the front lines of the crisis undoubtedly deserve the special treatment they're receiving.

"Costco is temporarily allowing priority access to our warehouses for Costco members who are healthcare workers and first responders such as police officers, EMTs and firefighters," reads a note on the company's website.

"Healthcare workers and first responders who present a Costco membership card and official identification of their role, will be allowed to move to the front of any line to enter the warehouse."

Several tweets posted online indicate that the exemption was originally only available to nurses and doctors, but the company eventually changed the policy to include a wide range of hospital workers and first responders. 

Thank you @Costco for revising your priority entry policy to include ALL health care workers. This change is greatly appreciated. pic.twitter.com/rvtAxMyW6i

— C Lea (@punabot) April 16, 2020

Costco has also temporarily implemented special operating hours for members who are 60 and older or who have a physical disability, as many Canadian grocery stores have done in recent weeks. 

Anyone who falls within this category can shop peacefully on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

And while some are wondering why this offer isn't also being extending to healthcare workers, others are simply grateful for any recognition at all. 

A big thanks to Costco for allowing essential workers the opportunity to “cut the line”. Like so many others Willis and I are required to be at work during the pandemic. Nobody in the police/fire/EMS/healthcare profession seeks recognition but sure feels great when you get it.

— Officer Rob (@OfficerRob1) April 13, 2020

The stores have also introduced several measures to ensure social distancing and additional sanitation.

"As many of you have noticed, we’ve experienced a surge of business during this time. As a result, we’ve taken steps to control the number of members in our warehouses and asked that members and employees practice social distancing. We’ve also reduced some services," reads a letter from Costco CEO and President Craig Jelinek. 

"We’ve increased our protocols in sanitizing surfaces, including shopping cart handles, merchandise shelves, front-end belts and registers. Limits have been implemented on certain items to help ensure more members are able to access the merchandise they want and need."

So while most of you would be wise to avoid your local Costco due to the endless lineups, healthcare works and first responders certainly have bigger things to worry about than the number of shoppers ahead of them in line at the grocery store.