Face Masks Now Required! Starbucks Joins Costco, Menards, Apple, In Requiring Customers To Wear Face Coverings

Starbucks (SBUX) joins the growing list of companies that require customers to wear face masks because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The company made the announcement on Thursday, saying that face coverings would be required at all of its U.S. locations, starting July 15.

For locations that do not have a local or state face mask mandate, Starbuck said, customers without a face covering will have alternative options for ordering, including the drive-thru, curbside pickup or delivery.

The decision by Starbucks is part of its commitment to “supporting health and government officials as they mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

On its website, Starbucks said: “It is our responsibility to protect our partners and comply with local public health mandates. As such, our partners have the right and responsibility to refuse service to customers who are not wearing facial coverings.”

Beyond requiring face masks at its stores, Starbucks has also implemented enhanced cleaning protocols and requires employees to wear face masks.

Since it started to reopen its cafes, the coffee chain has kept restrooms closed in stores where the seating area is closed unless an exception is necessary for a uniformed emergency responder or those with medical conditions covered under Ally’s law.

Starbucks closed all of its cafes in March and began serving customers through its drive-thru as stay-at-home orders swept the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

Starbucks joins Menards, Costco, Apple and other companies in requiring customers to wear face masks to enter stores.

Shares of Starbucks were trading at $73.53 as of 1:41 p.m. ET, down 51 cents or 0.69%