Starbucks announced Tuesday that it would temporarily pause its operation in all of its stores in the entire Luzon after the island was placed under a total lockdown or enhanced community quarantine.
“In light of the government’s decision to implement the enhanced Luzon-wide community quarantine that will start March 17, 2020, we have made a decision to temporarily pause operations in our Luzon based stores,” it said.
The American coffee company said it is to “support the health and well-being” of their partners (employees), and the communities they are part of.
Meanwhile, Starbucks stores in Visayas and Mindanao will remain open.
“Rest assured our stores in Visayan and Mindanao will continue to serve their communities with their favorite handcrafted beverages,” it said.
“We look forward to serving everyone as soon as possible. For now, let us all keep safe and healthy,” Starbucks added.
As per the guide to enhanced community quarantine established by the government, in the private sector, only private establishments providing basic necessities will be allowed to remain open during the quarantine.
Starbucks temporarily closes all Luzon stores
At a press briefing in Malacañang, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced that only the following establishments would be permitted to remain open:
- Public markets
- Supermarkets
- Groceries
- Convenience stores
- Hospitals
- Medical clinics
- Pharmacies and drug stores
- Food preparation and delivery services
- Water-refilling stations
- Manufacturing and processing plants of necessary food products and medicines
- Banks
- Money transfer services
- Power, energy, water, and telecommunications supplies and facilities
Only one member of the family could go out to buy basic food needs to avoid the spread of the pandemic virus.
According to Statista, there are already 360 Starbucks licensed stores in the Philippines as of September 2019.