Starbucks Baristas Have Been Told Not To Fill Reusable Cups As The Coronavirus Spreads

Starbucks has joined other food and beverage chains in taking action to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that has infected more than 100,000 people across the world.

Starbucks baristas have paused filling personal cups or “for here” mugs in stores. However, the coffee chain will continue to honor its customary 10-cent discount to customers who bring their own mermaid tumbler cup or ask for an in-store option. So at least your wallet won’t take a hit in the process.

This represents just one of the many actions Starbucks has chosen to take in the name of public health. The coffee chain has also increased cleaning and sanitizing in all company-operated locations, as well as provided stores with information on how to proceed in the event they are impacted by the virus.

On the corporate level, all business-related air travel has been suspended through the end of March. The company has also modified or postponed large meetings in both the U.S. and Canada.

Rossann Williams, president of U.S. company-operated business and Canada for Starbucks, said the company will continue to do “what is right” in a statement outlining the coronavirus actions:

We’ll continue to do what is right for our customers and partners. Our hope – as always – is that after this is over partners will look back and say, ‘I can’t believe I work for a company that cared so much for me, my family and my community.’

KFC and Pizza Hut recently launched a contactless delivery service in China in the hopes of reducing the risk of person-to-person transmission of COVID-19.