'COVID-19 Struggles' in the Food Service Industry, Strengthening Quarantine Measures... Starbucks Joins Social Distancing with 'Store Size Reduction'

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] The dining industry is suffering due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Because of the nature of the industry where people gather, concerns about the spread of community infections are growing. The dining industry is temporarily suspending operations and strengthening quarantine measures or reducing seating space within stores as much as possible to secure safe distances.

According to the industry on the 17th, Starbucks Coffee Korea has reduced seating by more than 30% at all stores in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province since the day before, in line with the elevation to social distancing level 2. Tables have been rearranged to maintain a distance of 1 to 2 meters, and seating has been arranged mainly for two-person tables as much as possible.

Hygiene rules in stores nationwide will also be further strengthened. Even when using Siren Order, messages encouraging mask-wearing are broadcast, and stickers with guidance are attached to entrances, POS terminals, and condiment bars. At the same time, partners responsible for the floor continuously provide hygiene guidance to customers seated at tables. Additionally, stickers for distancing guidance during ordering have been reinforced and are being displayed again.

A Starbucks representative explained regarding the operation of the Paju Yadang store, "After a confirmed case visited on the 8th, disinfection was completed on the 12th in cooperation with health authorities, and all partners who worked at that time tested negative, receiving approval from the quarantine authorities to resume normal operations." However, "It was finally decided to allow an additional two-week period, and the store will be temporarily closed until the 21st," they added.

The 'Starbucks Buddy Campaign,' which was scheduled to start on the 18th, has been postponed to the 1st of next month. The Starbucks Buddy Campaign is an event in collaboration with 'Playmobil' where Starbucks partners and buddies are made into Playmobil figures and sold. Even before the event started, it attracted significant attention mainly on social networking services (SNS). Starbucks explained that due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases centered in Seoul and the metropolitan area, concerns arose about confusion in store operations and safety, leading to the decision to postpone the event.

Recently, as COVID-19 confirmed cases have consecutively visited dining stores in the metropolitan area, tension in the dining industry is rising. The McDonald's COEX branch temporarily closed on the 13th and conducted disinfection after a confirmed case visited.

In the case of Hollys Coffee, one employee at the Gubanpo Station store tested positive for COVID-19. This employee went to work on the 10th but developed a fever and underwent testing, receiving a positive diagnosis on the 12th. Four store employees classified as close contacts all tested negative. Accordingly, Hollys Coffee suspended operations at the Gubanpo Station store and immediately completed disinfection. The Gubanpo Station store remained closed until the 14th according to the guidelines of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

A Hollys Coffee representative said, "We have tracked the movements of the confirmed employee for two weeks," and added, "At the headquarters level, all employees who worked at the Gubanpo Station store were immediately required to undergo paid diagnostic testing, and all tested negative." The representative continued, "We apologize for causing concern to customers who love Hollys Coffee due to this news," and said, "Hollys Coffee is actively cooperating with the KDCA's epidemiological investigation and will make every effort in quarantine activities to prevent infectious diseases."

To prevent COVID-19, Hollys Coffee conducts cleaning and disinfection of all equipment, utensils, and customer areas once a day according to the Infectious Disease Response Management Standard Manual, Infectious Disease Prevention Disinfection Guide, and Infectious Disease Related Operation Guide.

Lotteria resumed operations on the 14th at eight stores that had closed after a COVID-19 confirmed case emerged during a 'store manager meeting' in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the 6th. Lotteria operator Lotte GRS stated, "The eight stores that closed due to confirmed cases have reopened sequentially after disinfection and internal cleaning measures." The affected stores are Jonggak Station, Myeonmok Central, Gunja, Sogong 2nd, Seoul Station History, Sookmyung Women's University Station, Konkuk University Station, and Konkuk University Star City stores.

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