Starbucks Philippines temporarily closes stores nationwide

All Starbucks stores in the Philippines are temporarily closing amid the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Starbucks Philippines, which already halted its operations in Luzon last week, announced that it is also closing its stores in Visayas and Mindanao "based on the guidance of local authorities and after much consideration."

“The health and well-being of our partners and customers remains top of mind and our highest priority,” the company explained in an announcement on Monday.

“Based on the guidance of local authorities and after much consideration, our stores in Visayas and Mindanao will also close. As such, all Starbucks stores in the Philippines will be temporarily closed,” it added.

Starbucks Philippines initially closed Luzon stores due to the region-wide enhanced community quarantine, which took effect on March 17.

As of Monday, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has risen to 462, with fatalities totaling to 33.

—Margaret Claire Layug/JCB, GMA News