The Drive-Thru: The coronavirus outbreak causes stores to change policies and some to temporarily close

Sadly, this will likely be my last week writing the newsletter because Kate just got back from Asia. I'll miss keeping you up to date on the retail world each Friday, but I'm super excited that Kate has returned from her trip safe and sound.

By the way, if you haven't yet, subscribe to The Drive-Thru here to stay on top of it all.

For the time being, the retail desk has been covering the coronavirus pandemic nonstop. This week, we've got a slew of coronavirus-related topics on The Drive-Thru, from store closures to options for your very own quarantine cuisine.

Here's what you need to know.

More than 80 major US retailers are temporarily closing stores

JCPenney closing Robert Barnes/Getty Images

As the coronavirus panic heightens, some companies, like Walmart, are reducing store hours. However, more US retailers are choosing to temporarily shut their stores.

Retailers on the growing list include TJ Maxx, Marshalls, JCPenney, IKEA, H&M, Zara, Victoria's Secret, and more.

The impact on workers? In many cases, employees are being compensated for the lost shifts. The coronavirus pandemic has prompted changes to some companies' paid sick-leave policies for retail workers. In other cases, layoffs and furloughs are causing a crisis for workers who are being left without jobs. Read the full list of temporary closures here.

The coronavirus hits fast food

mcdonalds Reuters

Kate has returned from her trip to Asia and is already back to landing fast-food scoops.

She got her hands on a recording of an internal McDonald's call where executives talked about lobbying the Trump administration to make changes to a bill that would impact the chain's paid sick leave policy.

"We know that the funding mechanism and the repayment timing could cripple small-business owners," David Tovar, McDonald's vice president of US communications, said on the recording of the call.

"McDonald's supports the bill that would provide sick leave support to employees impacted by Coronavirus, and in fact, McDonald's and many of its franchise owners have already committed to offer those same benefits to potentially diagnosed employees," a McDonald's representative told Business Insider.

In the meantime, McDonald's restaurant owners are trying to curb toilet-paper theft by locking bathrooms . McDonald's chief supply chain officer, Marion Gross, told franchisees that they have to stop this practice, because they are required by law to keep bathrooms open at most locations.

Stores are changing policies on hours, returns, and purchases

walmart store Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Stores across the US are changing their policies to accommodate concerns and changing shopping habits amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Several major retailers, including Walmart and Target, have designated specific shopping hours for vulnerable and at-risk guests. Plus, Costco is taking steps to limit the number of people in its warehouses at a time.

Additionally, stores like Target, Costco , and Walmart are placing limits on the number of in-demand items a customer is allowed to purchase.

For example, Walmart's purchase limits will apply to paper products, milk, eggs, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, water, diapers, wipes, baby formula, and baby food, the company said.

Costco even made the decision to ban returns in at least some stores on items like toilet paper, soap, and rice as people panic-buy amid coronavirus fears.

Taste test of the week: "Quarantine cuisine"

pumped up pasta 22 Irene Jiang / Business Insider

This week's taste test is a little unique; it's the first part of Irene's new series, "Quarantine Cuisine."

From the confines of her apartment, Irene showed us how to make one of her favorite pasta recipes from mostly shelf-stable pantry staples.

As Irene put it, "It's simple, it's cheap, and it's delicious. Most everybody can make it, and most everybody will love it."

Read about how to make the pumped-up pasta, here.

Everything else you need to know:

dragon fruit kfc KFC Asia

In Vietnam, KFC has a new dragon fruit sandwich with a pink bun .
Good news for Hershey , as the official coronavirus comfort food might be chocolate.
An exclusive look inside a thriving sneaker "cook group."
Independent bookstores across the US are in trouble as they close their doors to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
Fast-food chains are emphasizing drive-thrus and shutting down in-store seating.
You can get a free kids' meal from Burger King.
CVS workers are demanding paid sick leave, face masks, and gloves.
These chains are offering free delivery.
Kroger employees are being given $25 worth of free groceries.
In isolation, people turn to skincare .
A corporate Costco employee died after testing positive for the coronavirus.

NOW WATCH: At its peak, Forever 21 made $4.4 billion in revenue. Here's what led to the brand's downfall and bankruptcy.

The Drive-Thru: The coronavirus outbreak causes stores to change policies and some to temporarily close

More than 80 major US retailers are temporarily closing stores

The coronavirus hits fast food

Stores are changing policies on hours, returns, and purchases

Taste test of the week: "Quarantine cuisine"

Everything else you need to know:

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Recommended articles

How 1 woman became first lady of 2 different countries — she married 2 presidents

How parents, teachers can recognise when a child is being bullied

Ladies! Here are 5 things you shouldn't say to your man during sex

It's illegal to publicly celebrate your birthday in this country

Don't pay new transport fares - GPRTU and GRTCC urge Ghanaians

Reflo’s makes a splash at Madina market with product showcase and community engagement

Akufo-Addo will sign the anti-gay bill if it reaches his desk – Miracles Aboagye

400 acres of cocoa farms at risk due to MIGOP Mining Limited's exploration activities

Nanky unleashes a gust of seduction in music video for new single ‘Duro’