Apple has closed its New York City stores to in-person shopping following a surge of COVID-19 cases in the area.
The tech company will only permit pick-up orders at its stores across the Big Apple, according to local store websites. Apple will also discontinue its tech services during the in-store shopping ban.
“Please note we are offering online order pick up and limited walk in services for shopping and Genius Bar support at this location,” Apple’s Fifth Avenue location stated.
The in-store shopping ban follows the closures of eight other Apple stores nationwide and in Canada last week. The locations included stores in Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, Ohio, Texas, and one location in Montreal.
“We regularly monitor conditions, and we will adjust our health measures to support the well-being of customers and employees,” Apple said in a statement. “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.”
On Monday, The New York Times also announced the closures, noting “about 20” Apple store locations nationwide have now been shut down in response to pandemic issues:
Apple said on Monday that about 20 of its retail stores were closed because of a wave of Covid-19 cases among employees that had left the stores unsafe and understaffed.
A handful of stores in Washington State also closed because of storms, the company said.
In addition to store closures, Apple announced a mask mandate for customers in stores earlier in December in response to increased coronavirus cases.
Breaking on @theterminal: Apple is reinstating its mask mandate at all U.S. retail stores today on rising Covid-19 cases (the mandate had been dropped at about half of its stores). The company will also begin limiting store occupancy once again at several locations.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) December 14, 2021
Earlier in December, The Daily Wire noted a report by CNBC regarding Apple store closures and how the tech giant is addressing testing and vaccine issues:
Apple said that store employees will take Covid-19 tests before reopening, so the closures could be delayed beyond Thursday and Friday, depending on the results. Apple’s retail employees have had access to weekly at-home tests provided by the company since earlier this year.
Apple also announced this week that it will require face masks for customers at all stores in the United States.
In addition to store closings, the iPhone maker has adjusted individual store policies in response to regional conditions, including an emphasis on customer pickups via online purchases instead of in-store shopping and increasing the amount of space to social distance.
The changes also come as New York City has implemented its proof of vaccine policy to enter many locations. Children as young as five years old are now required to show proof of vaccination for a wide variety of activities, including indoor dining.
BREAKING: @NYCMayor announces as of December 27 every New Yorker will need proof of 2 doses of #COVID19 vaccine to participate in indoor dining, entertainment and more: https://t.co/yaW1S1OaGM
— NYC Mayor’s Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) December 6, 2021