Starbucks Expands Social Distancing Measures Nationwide...Suspends Use of Personal Reusable Cups

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] Starbucks Coffee Korea announced on the 23rd that it will expand the social distancing operation, which was piloted at some stores in Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, to all stores nationwide starting from the 26th.

At the same time, Starbucks plans to strengthen customer guidance by expanding the implementation of the store hygiene safety etiquette campaign for proactive prevention of COVID-19.

First, as a social distancing measure, safety line stickers will be attached in front of the cash registers to secure a safe distance between customers and partners when ordering. Additionally, as a temporary measure, the use of personal reusable cups such as tumblers will be suspended in stores. When ordering beverages using personal reusable cups, the 300 won discount or Eco Star accumulation benefits will remain, but the beverage will be served in disposable cups. However, to receive the benefits, customers must bring their reusable cups and have them verified by a Starbucks partner on site.

Currently, Starbucks continues to provide beverages in disposable cups upon customer request in local government areas where the use of disposable cups inside stores is permitted.

Other hygiene safety etiquette measures include requesting customers to wear masks when ordering, disposing of used paper straws in trash bins, and various other ways for partners and customers to participate together to minimize infection risks.

Starbucks will additionally post guidance materials at entrances and cash registers so that customers can easily recognize the hygiene safety etiquette campaign when visiting stores, and will also provide information online through Starbucks Korea’s Facebook, YouTube channel “SbuckTV,” and the app.

Kwon Yong-beom, Head of Starbucks Operations Support Team, said, “To participate in the social distancing campaign, we have decided to expand the pilot operation of attaching safety distance lines, which was introduced in response to the domestic spread of COVID-19, to all stores nationwide. We have also postponed selective work-from-home arrangements for Starbucks partners who need child and maternal protection to coincide with the April school reopening.”

Earlier, since January, Starbucks has formed a company-wide task force (TF) to respond to the spread of COVID-19, working closely with quarantine authorities to focus on proactive quarantine reinforcement and thorough hygiene management operations.

All partners wear masks while working in all stores, hand sanitizers are provided for customers, and designated partners regularly disinfect store facilities such as tables, condiment bars, and entrance door handles at scheduled times.

Furthermore, to proactively respond to the spread and prevention of COVID-19, operating hours of some stores nationwide have been temporarily shortened, and in the 74 stores located in Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, designated as special infectious disease management areas, professional disinfection activities are conducted once a week. Among these, 39 stores were temporarily closed from March 9 to March 22.

Also, from February 23, when the crisis alert was raised to the severe level, the validity period of Starbucks e-coupons and receipt-printed coupons expiring was extended until May 31.

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