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CORONAVIRUS

COVID-19

Starbucks to close some cafes to stop spread of coronavirus, move to to-go model in rest

A sign posted at a Starbucks store in Phoenix Sunday, March 15, 2020, tells customers that the coffee company is temporarily stopping accepting reusable cups, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. On Sunday, the Seattle-based company announced it would close some locations and restrict seating inside and outside at all others in the United States. (Matt York / AP)
Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) – Starbucks says it’s moving to a to-go model for all its stores in the U.S. and Canada for at least two weeks over concern about the new coronavirus.

The Seattle-based coffee giant said Sunday it is closing seating in its cafes and patio areas, but customers can still order at the counter, at drive-throughs or on the Starbucks app.

The company will also temporary close stores in what it calls “high social-gathering locations,” such as malls and university campuses, and it will close stores or reduce hours in areas where there are clusters of COVID-19 cases.