Apple recloses 11 U.S. stores as coronavirus cases leap
SAN FRANCISCO Apple is closing some stores in the United States for a second time after COVID-19 cases jumped in several areas, sparking renewed fears about getting the pandemic under control in the world’s biggest economy.
Eleven stores in Florida, Arizona, North Carolina and South Carolina have been shut after health officials reported an increase in cases in each state.
The S&P 500 was in the red in afternoon trading Friday in New York, along with retailers including Nordstrom and Best Buy, following the decision by Apple.
Apple’s shares dipped just under one per cent at the close Friday.
An Apple spokesman said: “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.”
The company was one of the first to close its U.S. outlets because of the coronavirus.
By mid-may, it had reopened more than 100 stores on the condition that staff and customers wore face masks, enforced temperature checks at the doors and conducted daily deep cleanings.
Apple appeared to be optimistic earlier this week, saying that it hoped to open the doors to its New York City shops, and that 200 stores would be up-and-running by the end of the week.
However, some U.S. states are seeing a sharp acceleration in cases after lockdown was lifted, prompting local officials to seek new measures to curb the trend.
The U.S. now has more than 2.2 million people infected with the virus and a death toll approaching 120,000.
The World Health Organization said a record 150,000 cases were reported on Thursday, as countries begin lifting restrictions, allowing shops, restaurants and public spaces to reopen. Apple opened 33 stores in the United Kingdom this week and has not announced plans to close any again.
Next week, the technology giant will hold its annual Worldwide Developer’s Conference online for the first time.
The event, which is focused on developers of Apple software and external apps used on its devices, threatens to be overshadowed by a row over how Apple wields the power of its App Store, through which it dictates rules to developers across the world and requires a 30-per-cent cut of any money they make from the service.