Apple closes all stores outside of China until March 27

Apple has closed all of its retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27, as a precaution against the global COVID-19 pandemic. The company is also encouraging employees to work remotely if their job allows.

In a press statement, Apple CEO Tim Cook said:

We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27. We are committed to providing exceptional service to our customers. Our online stores are open at www.apple.com, or you can download the Apple Store app on the App Store. For service and support, customers can visit support.apple.com. I want to thank our extraordinary Retail teams for their dedication to enriching our customers’ lives. We are all so grateful to you.

Apple’s committed donations to the global COVID-19 response has reached $15 million worldwide. The proceeds aid to help treat those who are sick and to help lessen the economic and community impact of the pandemic. Furthermore, the company is also matching employee donations two-to-one.

Apple says extensive deep cleaning will continue at all sites, with new health screenings being added to all offices. Hourly workers will continue receiving payments in alignment with business as usual. Apple has also expanded its leave policies to cover personal or family health circumstances created by COVID-19.

Apple recently announced that its annual Worldwide Developers Conference will be in an entirely new online format due to “current health situation.” Moreover, the company suspended Today at Apple sessions earlier this week.

Meanwhile in China, the company has reopened all of its stores as the COVID-19 cases have dramatically declined there.