Starbucks bans BYO cups in US stores to prevent virus spread

In a major move, the world’s biggest coffee chain has banned a common item from US stores as coronavirus panic spreads.

Lauren Steussy

MARCH 6, 2020

New York Post

Starbucks is banning ceramic mugs and reusable personal cups from US stores as a precautionary measure against the deadly coronavirus.

The coffee giant, which had to close 4000 of its stores in China at the start of the outbreak, will still give a 10-cent discount for anyone who brings their own cup or asks for a mug — though they’ll be given a more sanitary paper cup.

“Our focus remains on two key priorities: Caring for the health and wellbeing 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,” Rossann Williams, executive vice president of US retail, wrote in a blog post.

This week, the coffee chain also stepped up cleaning efforts, telling workers to spend about half an hour on deeper cleaning, which the company wants staff to perform during peak times.

It’s among the drastic efforts to help curb the virus’ spread, which has infected more than 97,000 people worldwide and killed more than 3000 since its outbreak in China in January. It’s now to the point where countries outside China are reporting more than 18 times the number of daily coronavirus cases than within China.

Symptoms of the coronavirus include fever, cough and runny nose — which are similar to the flu or a cold.

Experts say if you’re experiencing any of those symptoms you should stay home.

But if you have a fever that won’t go away, and are experiencing shortness of breath and lethargy, experts say to call — not visit — your doctor to discuss next steps and testing.

“If you feel well enough that if it weren’t for coronavirus you wouldn’t see a doctor, don’t see a doctor,” Lauren Sauer, assistant professor of emergency medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine, told the Washington Post.

So can we expect a similar cup ban to be rolled out in Aussie cafes soon?

News.com.au contacted Starbucks Australia, McDonald’s and RFG – the owner of Gloria Jeans, Donut King, Brumby’s Bakery and Crust pizza – for comment, but a response was not received.

Meanwhile, Coffee Club said it was “aware of the change of policy with some overseas coffee chains” and that “the safety of our customers and staff is always our number one concern.”

“The Coffee Club will continue to offer keep cup coffee refills and, as usual, these refills come with a 50c discount,” a company spokeswoman said.

“In the context of concern around the coronavirus, and in the interests of the health and safety of our customers and staff, we have reviewed and have, where necessary, adjusted our food and beverage safety and cleanliness procedures.”

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission