Some Starbucks branches in the U.S., nearly half of which have been closed following the COVID-19 outbreak, will begin reopening from Monday with restrictions. The selected locations will be offering expanded pick-up, drive-thru and delivery order options, the company confirmed in an updated statement.
Thirty stores reopening from next week will not be offering in-store seating, while the company considers local government restrictions and infection curves as it reopens branches, the company's chief operating officer, Roz Brewer, told the Associated Press (AP).
The Seattle-based coffee chain is planning to reopen nearly 90 percent of its 8,000 U.S. stores with modifications by early June, while more than 98 percent of its stores in China, where the virus was first reported, have already been reopened, the AP reported.
"Since Mar. 16, many Starbucks locations have been serving their communities at the drive-thru. While some locations may continue to operate only at the drive-thru, others will expand their service to include grab-and-go or entryway pickup," the company said in the latest statement.
"At select locations where social distancing can be maintained, customers can place an order in the café and take their order to-go or use the 'order ahead' feature in the Starbucks app to pick it up at the counter. Social distancing will be supported with floor markers in waiting areas, additional in-store signage and by limiting the number of customers in the café at a single time. The seating area will not be open.
"In most cases, customers who use the app can pick up their order from a barista at the door without entering the café, the drive-thru, or in cases where social distancing can be implemented, pick up may be available at a counter in a store," the company said.
Starbuck will also be implementing new precautionary measures at its branches. All employees are required to complete a "pre-check" before starting their work shifts, including "taking their temperature, to ensure they are ready and able to work." Employees are also "required to wear facial coverings during their shifts and continue to frequently wash their hands. They also have the option to wear gloves," the company said.
All stores will continue to practice elevated cleaning and sanitizing protocols that meet or exceed public health guidelines, including frequent cleaning of high touch surface areas.
Many customers in the U.S. can continue to access Starbucks Delivers for free home delivery of nearly all food and drink products from the Starbucks menu through Uber Eats.
"For their delivery, customers can enable a 'contactless' handoff by adding a note for their delivery person to leave their order at the door. As part of our effort to support our communities during this challenging time, we are removing the delivery fees on orders," the company notes.
Like many other retail chains, Starbucks has faced major financial setbacks due to the global pandemic. Its net revenue dropped to $6 billion, a five percent decline on the previous year following the COVID-19 outbreak. Earnings were reported to be at $328.4 million for the quarter, down by 50.5 percent on the previous year.
"Lost sales include the effects of temporary store closures, modified operations, reduced hours and reduced customer traffic," the company confirmed in a statement this week.
Sales at Starbucks shops that have been open at least a year dropped by 10 percent across the globe from January to March. More than 75 percent of its locations in Japan, the U.K. and Canada remain closed.
But the company expects spending will peak through June and the company's president and chief executive officer, Kevin Johnson, remained hopeful.
"I think we [can] emerge from this strengthening the brand and strengthening the connection we have with customers," Johnson said in a conference call with investors.
The novel coronavirus was first reported in Wuhan, China. The virus has infected more than 3.3 million people across at least 187 countries and regions. The U.S. remains the epicenter of the outbreak, with more than 1.1 million confirmed cases. Over a million patients have recovered from infection, while more than 239,000 have died, as of Saturday, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the states with the most COVID-19 cases across the U.S.
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of the COVID-19 virus across the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advice on Using Face Coverings to Slow Spread of COVID-19
- CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- A simple cloth face covering can help slow the spread of the virus by those infected and by those who do not exhibit symptoms.
- Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items. Guides are offered by the CDC. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html)
- Cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. A washing machine will suffice.
- Practice safe removal of face coverings by not touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash hands immediately after removing the covering.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
- If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
- Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
- Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
- The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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