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Apple closes 30 more U.S. Apple Stores including all locations in Florida
As the number of coronavirus cases reported daily in several states starts to shoot back up, Apple is beginning to close more of its physical Apple Stores. Just a week ago, we told you that Apple was temporarily turning the lights off in 14 additional locations in Florida. We posted that article on June 25th and two days later the state hit a peak of 9,585 new cases announced.
Other states are hitting the pause button on reopening plans and today Apple said that 30 more brick and mortar stores in the U.S. will be closed. According to data from CNBC, 77 Apple Stores have reclosed over the last few weeks. With the remaining two Florida-based Apple Stores turning the lights off and locking the doors today, all physical Apple Stores in the Sunshine State have now been shuttered.
Besides the stores in Florida, locations near Los Angeles have also been closed. On Wednesday, the company said that Apple Stores in Florida, Mississippi, Texas, and Utah were closed immediately. Stores in other states such as Alabama, California, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, and Oklahoma will close on Thursday. By tomorrow, 77 or 28% of the 271 U.S. Apple Stores in the country will not be open. An Apple spokesman says, "Due to current COVID-19 conditions in some of the communities we serve, we are temporarily closing stores in these areas. We take this step with an abundance of caution as we closely monitor the situation and we look forward to having our teams and customers back as soon as possible."
Apple is taking precautions even in stores that remain open. At some stores, all business is being conducted curbside while at other locations customers need to make an appointment to go inside. At the latter stores, when customers arrive for their appointment. they will have their temperature checked and will be forced to wear a mask; social distancing is practiced as each customer must be separated by at least six feet.
The Apple Stores that closed today include St. Johns Town Center, University Town Center in Florida; Renaissance at Colony Park in Mississippi; Barton Creek, Domain Northside, La Cantera, North Star, Knox Street, Northpark Center, Galleria Dallas, Ciello Vista Mall, Southlake Town Square, University Park Village in Texas.
The Apple Stores that will close Thursday include The Summit in Alabama; Glendale Galleria, Northridge, Pasadena, The Grove, Third St. Promenade, Century City, Manhattan Village, Beverly Center, Sherman Oaks, Topanga, Los Cerritos, The Americana at Brand, Valencia Town Center, Victoria Gardens, The Oaks, The Summit in California; Cumberland Mall, Perimeter, Lenox Square, Avalon, Mall of Georgia in Georgia; Boise Towne Square in Idaho; Baton Rouge, Lakeside Shopping Center in Louisiana; Fashion Show, The Forum Shops, Town Square, Summerlin in Nevada; Penn Square, Woodland Hills in Oklahoma.
So what can a consumer expect when visiting an Apple Store in the U.S. that has been reopened and remains so? Apple explains that "Before you enter an Apple Store, we will take your temperature using a thermometer that does not touch the skin to ensure that it measures below 37.5° C (99.5° F). No data from this procedure will be recorded. Prior to your store visit, please ask yourself the following health-related questions: Do I currently have a fever, chills, muscle or body aches? Do I currently have a cough or am I experiencing any respiratory issues? Do I have a headache, sore throat, runny nose, or congestion? Am I experiencing any nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea? Have I been in contact with any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 14 days? If you answered YES to any of these please visit at a later date. You can get all the same great products and services from our online store with free no-contact delivery, and one-on-one shopping help from a Specialist via Chat, or by calling 1‑800‑MY‑APPLE. Shop Apple Store online."
Overseas where the coronavirus isn't making a comeback, Apple is able to keep its stores open in most countries.
