Install Protective Barriers at Starbucks Drive-Thru Locations due to COVID-19

Currently, most stores have sneeze guards installed at the front registers and the handoff plane to protect customers and employees (partners). Furthermore, Starbucks has implemented a mask requirement policy that is in place for all customers who come inside the store. While these are great steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, not enough is being done to protect customers and partners at the drive-thru window, where most transactions are currently occurring at Starbucks stores.

Most drive-thru locations do not have any sort of protective shield or sneeze guard implemented at the drive-thru window. Customers are also not required to wear masks if they come through the drive-thru. Most often, the customer and partner in the drive-thru window are not 6 feet away from each other. This leads to an increased risk of spread of COVID-19 for partners and customers as well. We insist that Starbucks install a protective shield or sneeze guard at all drive-thru windows throughout US company-operated stores to protect our partners and customers. If customers are close enough that we can hand them their drink through the drive-thru, something should be installed or implemented for added protection.