Starbucks is briefly limiting the usage of reusable, private mugs in shops due to the coronavirus, the corporate introduced Wednesday.
In an open letter posted on the corporate’s web site, govt Vice President Rossann Williams wrote that the corporate has “taken a collection of precautionary steps in response to this rising public well being influence.”
In January, Starbucks closed half of its China shops due to the outbreak, although many have since reopened, officers have mentioned.
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“Our focus stays on two key priorities: Caring for the well being and well-being of our companions and prospects and enjoying a constructive position in supporting native well being officers and authorities leaders as they work to include the virus,” Williams mentioned in Wednesday’s letter.
In her letter, Williams outlined 5 of the corporate’s steps, which embody “elevated cleansing and sanitizing for all company-operated shops to assist forestall the unfold of all germs” and limiting “all business-related air journey, home and worldwide by means of March 31.”
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The corporate is also “pausing the usage of private cups and ‘for right here’ ware in our retailer,” Williams mentioned, noting they are going to nonetheless honor “the 10-cent low cost for anybody who brings in a private cup or asks for ‘for right here’ ware.”
As a part of the steps, Starbucks transformed its annual shareholders assembly in hometown Seattle to a virtual-only occasion as a result of issues in regards to the virus. The assembly might be March 18, as initially deliberate.
The partylike occasion that attracted 4,000 shareholders final 12 months was purported to be held at a theater in downtown Seattle. A virus cluster has emerged in Washington state, nevertheless, with 10 reported deaths.
“We’ll proceed to remain near our companions and native well being officers, and we’re optimistic this might be a brief state of affairs,” Williams mentioned.
Contributing: Related Press
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