Apple’s retail stores in the United States have been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 epidemic, but the company will begin opening some of them next week. An Apple spokeswoman told NBC: “We are excited to reopen the store next week, starting with some stores in Idaho, South Carolina, Alabama, and Alaska in the United States.” It may be too late We recommend that, where possible, customers shop online for uninterrupted delivery or store pickup.
As CNBC points out, there are only six Apple stores in all of these states, making it a small return that allows companies to closely monitor things and apply what they’ve learned because more locations welcome customers. Apple operates 2,271 stores in the United States and more than 500 worldwide. More than 70 stores are now open in Asia, Europe, and Australia after the novel stopped helping to combat the coronavirus outbreak. It will probably be some time before Apple stores return to big cities. CEO Tim Cook told Bloomberg that the United States plans to open “just a few” by the first half of May.
As has been the case with the reopening of Apple stores in other countries, American retailers will be able to check temperatures and wear masks. Facial covers will also be provided to clients. The company says stores will focus on product repair in these early days. After a sudden shutdown across the country, several people glued their devices to the Genius Bar, even allowing Apple to retrieve the completed repairs before certain customers closed store doors.
Here’s Apple’s full statement
We’re excited to begin reopening stores in the US next week, starting with some stores in Idaho, South Carolina, Alabama, and Alaska. Our team is constantly monitoring local health data and government guidance, and as soon as we can safely open our stores, we will.
We’ve missed our customers and look forward to offering our support. With many working and learning from home, our primary focus will be providing service and support at the Genius Bar. We’ll open initially with additional safety procedures including temperature checks, social distancing, and face coverings to ensure customers and employees continue to stay healthy. Our new social distance protocol allows for a limited number of visitors in the store at one time so there may be a delay for walk-in customers. We recommend, where possible, customers buy online for contactless delivery or in-store pickup.
As local guidance varies around the US there may be slight modifications to our procedures. As always, our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19 and those working around the clock to treat, study, and contain its spread.
Source: NBC News
