Starbucks Temporarily Closes 39 Stores in Daegu and Gyeongbuk to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] Starbucks Coffee Korea will temporarily close some stores in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions from the 9th to the 22nd to actively prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The stores to be closed are 39 out of 74 stores operating in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas, of which 9 stores have had their temporary closures extended after being sequentially closed since the end of last month.

The 35 stores, including drive-thru locations in Daegu and Gyeongbuk where contactless ordering has been activated, will continue to operate normally while strengthening regular disinfection through professional companies.

In particular, a 'social distancing' campaign for safe customer use will be piloted focusing on the 35 stores operating normally in Daegu and Gyeongbuk. To this end, the spacing between tables, as well as the spacing between chairs at community tables and window stand-up tables for multiple people, will be rearranged more widely to secure safe distances between customers. Line stickers will also be attached in front of the cash registers to maintain a safe distance between partners and customers.

Nationwide Starbucks stores will also conduct a hygiene safety etiquette campaign within stores, encouraging partners and customers to participate together to minimize infection risks, such as wearing masks when ordering and disposing of used paper straws in designated trash bins.

Since January, Starbucks has formed a company-wide task force (TF) to respond to the spread of COVID-19 and has been closely cooperating with health authorities to focus on proactive disinfection enhancement and thorough hygiene management. All partners are wearing masks while working in every store, hand sanitizers are provided for customers, and designated partners regularly disinfect tables, condiment bars, door handles, and other store facilities at scheduled times.

Additionally, since the 10th of last month, Starbucks has been flexibly shortening operating hours at some stores nationwide as a proactive measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In local government areas where disposable cups are temporarily allowed inside stores, beverages are served in disposable cups upon customer request.

Furthermore, in all stores within the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, designated as special infectious disease control areas on the 21st of last month, professional companies have been visiting weekly to conduct disinfection and sterilization activities.

Since the crisis alert was raised to the severe level on the 23rd of last month, Starbucks plans to extend the validity period of Starbucks e-coupons and receipt print coupons set to expire to May 31.

Kwon Yong-beom, head of Starbucks Operations Support Team, said, "We decided to temporarily close 39 stores in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions to proactively prevent COVID-19 infection and to participate in the nationwide social distancing campaign. We plan to reopen the stores on the 23rd, coinciding with the school reopening after a two-week delay, but the reopening date may be moved earlier or changed depending on the COVID-19 situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.