Apple closing stores in spiking states

That didn’t last long.

Less than a month after it began reopening, Apple said Friday it will be closing 11 stores as coronavirus cases rise in states that have lifted their lockdowns.

The 11 stores are in Arizona, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina. Customers who left devices at the stores for repairs will have until Saturday to pick them up.

Apple first closed its stores worldwide for two weeks on March 4 before extending the closure “indefinitely” on March 17. The iPhone maker began reopening locations in May.

In late May, it said it planned to reopen about 100 US stores, although many were limited to curbside pickup, as lockdown restrictions began to ease. But coronavirus cases continue to rise in the US, where close to 120,000 people have died.

Apple has also recently said it would be reopening 10 of its New York City stores as the city enters Phase Two of its effort to reopen the economy.

“This week we’ll return to serving customers in many more US locations including by appointment in New York City, where we’re proud to stand beside New Yorkers as they emerge from this incredibly difficult time,” Apple said earlier this week.

Visitors to the stores that remain open are required to “practice additional steps for the health of employees and customers,” Apple has said, “including temperature checks, face coverings and social distancing.”

Shares of Apple closed down by $2.01 Friday, at $349.72.