The last of the closed Apple Stores in the U.S. was reopened the other day - it is located in Texas.
It's been almost a year since Apple was forced to open its retail stores on March 13, 2020. And now we know that all 270 U.S. Apple Stores are open again and operating in one mode or another - some full, as they were before the pandemic, while others are only open for online ordering.
The move, of course, has no direct correlation to the frequency of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the U.S. Apple, in many cases, has followed local health regulations and, in some cases, proactively closed its retail stores. But it shows that Apple is confident in the safety measures it has taken, including mandatory face masks and limited occupancy at retail stores.
On March 17, 2020, the company announced that all Apple Stores outside of China would remain closed indefinitely due to a spike in COVID-19 infections. The months that followed can be described as a complex series of store openings and closings, as Apple adhered to local and national health guidelines and prioritized its employees' safety.
In some cases, stores opened with many restrictions, only to close again later. In other instances, outlets stood closed for extended periods. Apple has demonstrated a willingness and ability to act quickly, responding to changing conditions.
In the meantime, we would like to believe that very shortly, and we will hear the news that all Apple Stores (and not only them) around the world are open again and ready to receive visitors, not only for online orders.
Photo credit: depositphotos.com.
2 MARCH 2021, USA