Starbucks temporarily bans use of reusable personal cups amid coronavirus fears

Starbucks won’t be refilling your reusable cup for the time being, the company says.

Executive vice president Rossann Williams posted an open letter on the company’s website Wednesday explaining steps Starbucks is taking to protect the health of its employees and customers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Part of the plan includes halting the use of personal reusable cups.

“We are pausing the use of personal cups and ‘for here’ ware in our stores,” the letter said.

Despite the ban, Starbucks said it will still honor the 10-cent discount for anyone who brings in a personal cup or requests “for here ware.”

Williams wrote that Starbucks is “taking guidance from the CDC” to increase cleaning and sanitizing across the company to prevent the spread of germs.

Starbucks has also enacted new in-store procedures to help team members support and report anyone who thinks they may have been impacted by COVID-19.

All domestic and international business-related air travel has been restricted through March 31, the letter said.

“We will continue to stay close to our partners and local health officials, and we are optimistic this will be a temporary situation,” Williams wrote.

You can read the full letter here.