As Apple (AAPL 0.20%) reopens stores around the world it's laying out its policies for consumers, which includes social distancing, temperature checks, and face coverings.
In a blog post over the weekend, Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s head of retail, said in addition to focusing on limited occupancies in its stores it is requiring all customers and employees to wear face coverings and to undergo temperature checks. The tech stock said it will supply face masks for customers if they don’t have one.
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“Temperature checks will be conducted at the door, and posted health questions will screen for those with symptoms — like cough or fever — or who have had recent exposure to someone infected with COVID‑19,” wrote O'Brien in the blog post. “Throughout the day, we're conducting enhanced deep cleanings that place special emphasis on all surfaces, display products, and highly trafficked areas.”
O'Brien said Apple has renewed its focus on one-on-one service at the Genius Bar and throughout its stores. It's also offering curbside pickup and drop off at many of its stores. Online orders can also be picked up at an open Apple store. She noted that close to 100 Apple stores have reopened their doors around the world. Apple is planning on reopening around 25 stores in the U.S. this week but cautioned which locations reopen is based on data and that Apple will take a slow approach to reopenings. “These are not decisions we rush into — and a store opening in no way means that we won't take the preventative step of closing it again should local conditions warrant,” said O'Brien.
In March as the COVID-19 pandemic spread Apple shuttered all of its stores outside of Greater China. The stores in China were closed in January but reopened in March once COVID-19 was contained in the country.
