Apple stores are beginning to re-open across the country, with a new set of pandemic-related guidelines in place.
Apple are among the businesses that are slowly re-opening their storefronts across the United States and outside of it. As of now, NPR reports that there are nearly 100 stores open, which only equates to a fifth of the Apple stores worldwide.
Some of the Apple stores that are open in the U.S. include locations in Florida, Alabama, California and Washington State, with 25 additional stores reportedly set to open soon. The re-opening of Apple stores though will come with a new set of Coronavirus-approved guidelines, such as the requirement of wearing a face mask while in the store– both customers and employees– as well as temperature checks for any customers entering the store. Equally, the store will limit the capacity of persons inside, and they will be doing deep cleanings through out the day.
A security guard takes the temperature of a customer at the Apple Store in Charleston, South Carolina on May 13 – Sean Rayford/Getty Images
As far as the decision-making that goes into re-opening Apple stores, the Senior Vice President for Retail + People Deirdre O’Brien stated,
“We look at every available piece of data — including local cases, near and long‑term trends, and guidance from national and local health officials. These are not decisions we rush into — and a store opening in no way means that we won’t take the preventative step of closing it again should local conditions warrant.”
Customers will still be able to order online for curbside pick-up as well, and if they do choose to go to the store and shop in-person, expect a line–our new norm.
