Apple will close U.S. stores and all other stores outside of China until March 27

Apple will temporarily close all of its stores “outside of Greater China” until March 27, CEO Tim Cook announced in a letter posted on the company’s website late Friday evening. “The most effective way to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus is to reduce density and maximize social distance,” Cook wrote. “We are committed to providing exceptional service to our customers.”

The nationwide closure is one of the first of a major retailer in the United States. But this extends well beyond the U.S., with every Apple location globally shutting down immediately – except in China.

Apple’s online store remains operational during downtime for physical store locations and customers seeking customer support can turn to support.apple.com to find authorized repair shops that remain open or arrange postal service.

“The global spread of COVID-19 affects us all,” Cook wrote. “At Apple, we are people first, and we do what we do with the belief that technology can change lives and the hope that it can be a valuable resource at such a time.”

Employees affected by the store closure are still paid. Here’s what Cook said about those and other adjustments Apple is making to cater to employees affected by the virus:

All our hourly wage workers will continue to be paid in line with normal business operations. We have expanded our leave policies to accommodate the personal or family circumstances created by COVID-19, including recovery from illness, caring for a sick loved one, mandatory quarantine, or childcare issues due to school closings.

Apple’s “committed donations” to COVID-19 have reached $ 15 million, Cook said, and the company will “match our employees’ donations two-on-one to support the COVID-19 response efforts locally, nationally and internationally.” Like other large companies with a global presence, Apple strongly encourages employees to work from home when their work permits.

Apple recently reopened the Chinese stores and it was closed shortly after the initial distribution of the new coronavirus and COVID-19. “Although the number of infections has declined dramatically, we know that the effects of COVID-19 are still being felt strongly. I would like to thank our team in China for their determination and spirit,” Cook said in his note.

Earlier on Friday, Apple announced that WWDC 2020 will shift to an online experience – still with a keynote and developer sessions – when the conference takes place in June. In that press release, Apple only mentioned the “current health situation” without responding directly to COVID-19.

Cook hit a gloomy but hopeful tone to close his letter.

The challenge of the moment is undeniable. The entire Apple family is indebted to the heroic first responders, doctors, nurses, researchers, public health experts, and officials from around the world who have gone out of their way to help the world reach this moment. We do not yet know for sure when the greatest risk lies behind us.

And yet I am inspired by the humanity and determination that I have seen from all corners of our global community. As President Lincoln said in a time of great adversity, “The opportunity is difficult to accumulate, and we must take the opportunity up. Since our case is new, we need to think again and act again. ‘

That’s always how Apple chose to take on big challenges. And so we will also look forward to this.