Customers will no longer be able to fill their own reusable mugs at the world’s largest coffee chain over fears of spreading COVID-19.
Starbucks announced Wednesday that it is temporarily suspending the use of personal and reusable cups and tumblers at its stores across North America in an open letter posted to the company’s website.
“We are pausing the use of personal cups and ‘for here’ ware in our stores,” said executive vice president Rossann Williams in the letter.
The policy will be in place at the more than 1,400 Starbucks locations across Canada. There are around 20 Starbucks stores in Richmond.
Starbucks says it will continue to offer its 10-cent discount to customers who ask to use their reusable cup or an in-store mug — one of the company’s sustainability initiatives —but the customer will be given a disposable mug.
The announcement did not provide any details as to how long the new policy would be in place.
The company also said it will be ramping up cleaning and sanitizing procedures at all stores, and has provided employees with information on how to respond to and report suspected cases of COVID-19.
Starbucks is also halting all business-related travel until March 31, and is modifying or postponing large meetings.
