Apple closes stores in NYC for customers due to an increase in Covid cases

Due to an increase of Covid-19 cases in the city, Apple closed its New York City retail locations to indoor consumer activity on Monday. Certain ordering online, however, are not prevented from picking up merchandise outside of those stores, according to the company’s website, which was updated on Monday.

Due to the fast spreading omicron form, there has been an increase in Covid-19 instances. The duration of the closures is unknown.

The action, which affects 11 sites in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island, isn’t the same as the company’s previous measures to prevent the spread of the virus, which included closing stores entirely.

In response to the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Apple closed all of its retail stores in the United States in early 2020. After reopening, the company established designated customer sanitation zones and required personnel to wear masks. Weekly at-home tests were also available to its retail personnel.

Apple is tightening its regulations in response to the new, more contagious strain of the virus. Customers would be obliged to wear masks when visiting retail stores, the business announced two weeks ago. Previously, Apple only required masks in areas where mandates were in place.

Apple briefly closed stores in Miami, Ottawa, Ontario, and Annapolis, Maryland, earlier this month due to a surge in customer complaints.

“We regularly monitor conditions and we will adjust our health measures to support the well-being of customers and employees,” the company said in a statement Monday. “We remain committed to a comprehensive approach for our teams that combines regular testing with daily health checks, employee and customer masking, deep cleaning and paid sick leave.”