On Friday, Apple announced that it will temporarily close most of its stores around the world, becoming one of the first major retailers to enact such drastic measures.
Chief Executive officer of the company Timothy D. cook said that Apple will close all the stores until March 27th, with the exception of stores in mainland China, which recently significantly reduced the incidence of new infections, as well as in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
“The most effective way to minimize the risk of transmitting the virus is to reduce the density and to maximize social distance,” said Mr. cook in a statement posted on the website of the company.
Many companies around the world are considering similar measures. On Friday, the Patagonia, the seller of clothing, said it will close its stores by the end of March. Starbucks has said it will consider temporary closure of shops as a “last resort”.
The virus has already caused damage to many enterprises, violating the supply chain and damaging the demand for critical markets.
Apple has recently opened all of its 42 stores in China, covering them over a month ago. But the company struggled in trying to increase the production of smartphones amid delays at its factories in China.
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