Starbucks halt customers using own cups to contain coronavirus

Starbucks Corp has stopped accepting reusable cups and thermos flasks from customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to prevent the spread of coronavirus, though it will still honor the promised discount for anyone carrying one.

The world's biggest coffee chain had announced a similar policy for the United States on Wednesday.

Companies across the world are forced to rethink the way they function to slow the spread of Coronavirus, with some opting to freeze travel, stockpile goods and have staff work from home.

Coffee chains in recent years have encouraged customers to bring their own reusable cups or thermal tumblers to cut the number of paper cups and plastic lids that end up in landfill.

But for Starbucks, that means halting the use of personal cups or tumblers in its stores out "of an abundance of caution".