Starbucks Closes Some Outlets, To-Go Only All Others

The Seattle Times reports:

In a bid to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, Starbucks will temporarily close some of its North American locations and will shift to a “to-go” model at the rest of its more than 10,000 North American stores.

The closures, which were announced and implemented Sunday afternoon, will last at least two weeks and will affect company-operated stores in high-risk areas such as Seattle and New York, with a high number of cases of COVID-19, the highly contagious illness caused by the coronavirus, the company said in a statement.

In these areas, stores will either shut down or move to reduced hours. Starbucks will also close locations in “high-social gathering” areas, such as inside malls and universities, the company said.