Starbucks to reduce seating after spike in Covid-19 cases

A sign at the Starbucks Yadang branch on Sunday says that the coffee shop is closed after a new cluster of Covid-19 patients was reported there. [YONHAP]

Starbucks Korea said Sunday it will reduce the number of seats at its branches in Seoul and Gyeonggi by 30 percent as new clusters of coronavirus infections have been found at the cafes recently.

Large-size tables will be mostly replaced with two-person tables placed 1 to 2 meters (3.3 feet to 6.6 feet) from each other in order to prevent possible infections.

The number of community tables shared by multiple customers will be reduced.

It will also ask customers using the Siren Order system to wear masks when picking up their drinks.

Franchise coffee shops have emerged as a new hot spot for coronavirus infections.

Starbucks Korea’s Yadang branch in Paju, Gyeonggi reported a total of 36 infections as of Sunday after a confirmed patient visited the branch on Aug. 8. The branch will be shut down until Aug. 21.

Its Yangpyeong branch, which opened as the largest in Korea last month, also had to shut down on Aug. 12 when an infected person was found to have stayed there for 40 minutes that morning.

Hollys Coffee’s Seolleung branch also reported five cases last month.

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]