Mike Wuerthele
Apple has just declared that it is opening up a handful of Apple Stores in the US cautiously, with more to follow as conditions warrant.
Starting the week of May 11, some Apple Retail stores, closed because of the Coronavirus pandemic will open. Specifically, some of the stores in Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, and South Carolina will be opening.
The stores will be mandating temperature checks for employees and visitors. Employees will be required to wear masks, but it isn't clear if they will require customers to do the same. Additionally, the maximum number of people in the store will be strictly limited.
Apple has issued a statement to AppleInsider and other venues regarding the openings.
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 heath data and government guidance, and as soon as we can safely open our stores, we will.
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 pick up.
In total, there are six stores across the four states. It isn't yet clear if all six will be opening.
Apple closed all of its retail stores outside of Greater China on March 14 in a bid to protect customers and team members from the fast-spreading disease. Initial plans were to reopen Apple Stores on March 27.
Apple Senior Vice President of Retail and People Deirdre O'Brien said in a memo in April that the company would open Apple Stores in the early May.
For the remaining stores and corporate locations, Apple employees will otherwise continue to adhere to work-from-home protocols, which for retail workers like Geniuses includes remote tech support. Corporate employees, like those based out of Apple Park, are also working remote to prevent spreading the virus.
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
16 Comments
Good news!
All hopes for Canada, soon!
It sounds like it's mainly focused on repair work.
Specifically, some of the stores in Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, and South Carolina will be opening.
Common feature: all 4 are Bright Red States. Not wanting to be a Debbie Downer here, but what has changed in the world since all stores were shut? Nothing. No vaccine, no drug that will "cure" or really even mitigate the disease (notwithstanding any claims to the contrary). The virus is still here and still spreading through human-to-human contact. Check the newspapers, it is daily front-page news: people are still dying by the thousands across the country. Hey, I'm as keen as anyone for the world to get back to normal. But seriously, nothing has changed other than eruptions of pent-up frustrations apparently reaching boiling points here and there. Good luck, Apple.
In S.C. the test-positive percentage has been on a downward slope for 28 days. Virtually all deaths are in long-term care facilities. Daily deaths outside of nursing homes are comparable to “eaten by alligator” and “run over by own lawnmower.” The State’s hospitals are at 30% capacity.
My daughter is an EMT in SC. She’s busy, as always, but not with COVID patients. “Flatten the curve” was to keep the hospitals from being overwhelmed. They are currently under-whelmed to the point of bankruptcy.
”Daily front page news” is not really a solid criterion for making decisions.
I think Apple is making a responsible call here.
The most vulnerable people, of course, should not go to the mall. Kids doing home school will really be helped by this, at very low risk to anyone.