Starbucks to temporarily ban reusable mugs due to coronavirus fears

Starbucks to temporarily ban reusable mugs due to coronavirus fears
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Starbucks bans reusable mugs at all Canadian locations

Environmentally friendly Vancouver Islanders will have to forgo their own mugs and settle for in-store cups at Starbucks for the next while.

The coffee giant has temporarily banned customers from bringing their own reusable mugs at thousands of stores because of growing fears of coronavirus contamination.

“We are pausing the use of personal cups and “for here” ware in our stores. We will continue to honor the 10-cent discount for anyone who brings in a personal cup,” said executive vice-president Rossann Williams in an open letter posted Wednesday.

All 1,400 Starbucks locations in Canada will fall under the ban effective immediately, as the Seattle-based coffee company takes ‘series of precautionary steps’ in order to combat the spread of COVID-19.

“Our focus remains on two key priorities: Caring for the health and well-being of our partners and customers and playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus.”

Alongside temporarily banning reusable mugs, Williams said the company has increased cleaning and sanitation procedures for every location as well as restricted all business-related air travel until the end of the month.

“We will continue to communicate with transparency and act courageously and responsibly to ensure the health and well-being of our partners and customers,” Williams added in the letter.

The ban is said to be temporary, although there isn’t a specified date of how long the company anticipates restricting reusable mugs.

 

 

Graham CoxGraham Cox

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