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Starbucks made a huge change to their store policy. The coffee chain announced that it will require customers to wear masks in all Starbucks locations. The new policy was implemented July 15.
Explaining their decision, the coffee chain wrote that they were “committed to playing a constructive role in supporting health and government officials as they work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”
Keep reading for all the details.
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Previously, Starbucks was only requiring employees to wear face coverings, but has since expanded the policy to include customers. This is one of a series of measures that the coffee chain is taking to keep both customers and employees safe during the pandemic.
Starbucks employees have the right to refuse service to anyone not wearing a mask.
The website explains, "We respectfully require customers follow social distancing and safety protocols recommended by public health officials, including wearing a facial covering when visiting our stores. It is our responsibility to protect our partners and comply with local public health mandates. As such, our partners have the right and responsibility to refuse service to customers who are not wearing facial coverings."
However, if you forgot your mask, there are other options for ordering your favorite coffee.
According to their press release, "At select locations where a local government mandate is not in place, customers that may not be wearing a facial covering will have various options to order their Starbucks, including ordering at the drive-thru, curbside pickup through the Starbucks app or placing an order for delivery through Starbucks Delivers."
This new mask rule is not the only change the coffee chain has implemented. Starbucks locations have also enhanced their cleaning procedures to keep customers and partners healthy.
Their website states, "We are taking guidance from the CDC and local health authorities, we have increased cleaning and sanitizing for all company-operated stores to help prevent the spread of all germs, adding paid time for our partners supporting this work."
