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Starbucks joins growing list of Canadian retailers asking customers to wear masks

The coffee giant plans to re-open some stores for full-service, and have mapped out their plans for worker and customer safety
starbucks-has-mostly-been-serving-customers-via-drive-thru
Starbucks has mostly been serving customers via drive-thru, delivery and at the door but a re-opening plan is underway, with customers being asked to wear face coverings. Photo by Starbucks Canada

Coffee giant Starbucks is making plans to re-open some stores for full-service and when it does patrons will be asked to wear masks or some sort of face covering.

In a press release Monday, Starbucks Canada laid out a multi-step process for safe social distancing for customers and employees as it gradually resumes business during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, a key component of the re-opening plan is a request of a “facial covering” for customers and employees. It did not define what that would look like although provincial and federal health officers have recommended non-medical face masks for people on transit or places where two metres of social distancing is difficult to maintain.

According to Starbucks, the face covering request is one of a number of initiatives that will also include mandatory temperature testing of employees before their shifts, plexiglass protection at counters and gloves available but optional for employees.

Starbucks joins a number of canadian retailers, including T & T Grocery and Whole Foods that are asking customers to wear face masks.

“Starbucks is respectfully requesting customers follow physical distancing and safety protocols recommended by public health officials, including wearing a facial covering when visiting stores as an added layer of protection for customers and partners (employees).”

Starbucks Canada is on track to resume operations in 65% of its stores by the end of this week and 85% of its stores by the end of May.

Among its re-opening efforts include three hours of comprehensive training for employees and enhanced cleaning.

As for what stores will re-open, Starbucks Canada says on its website it will decide based on a “data-rich dashboard” of comprehensive information, including store format details, government data on confirmed cases and trends about COVID-19.

“As the ability to test for COVID-19 increases, we’ll be able to continuously enhance our monitoring capabilities,” the company states.

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