Starbucks closing some stores, eliminating seating amid coronavirus outbreak

Mar 15, 2020 | 7:10 PM

SEATTLE — Starbucks is ramping up its efforts to stop the spread of the new coronavirus by removing seating from its stores.

The coffee chain says people will still be able to make purchases in-store and online, but they’ll be encouraged to take items to go.

It says it’s also temporarily closing stores in “high-social gathering locations” such as those in shopping malls and on university campuses.

The chain says workers whose hours will be affected by the pandemic will get “catastrophe pay.”