Apple publishes safety guidelines for reopening of its retail stores

• Apple has published various safety guidelines to reopen retail stores across various locations in the world.
• Derek O Brien, the Head of Operations at Apple announced in a letter, the guidelines stores will follow and steps the company will undertake to ensure safety of all.

Apple has reportedly announced its plans to reopen retail stores and safely resume operations through a letter published on its website. The company shut down all of its retail stores across the globe during the month of March except China, where the stores reopened the same month. According to sources within the Apple community, Apple plans to reopen 25 stores in the US, 12 in Canada, and 10 in Italy over the next week.

In a letter published on Apple’s website, Deidre O’Brien, the Head of Operations at Apple expressed that the company will not rush into the decision of reopening its stores and when they do decide to reopen, they will take all the preventative measures necessary. O’Brien also says that the company will keep track of all COVID 19 data in the locality and close the store again should the local conditions warrant.

In the same letter, O’Brien also addresses that all the stores reopened will enable customers to have access to Genius bar reservations and pick up the items that were ordered online in advance. Only some of the stores will allow customers to enter the store physically to pick up their order whereas some will offer only curbside services.

Regular temperature checks will be conducted for all the staff and customers, face coverings will be made compulsory and will be provided to all who visit the store, provided that the person visiting does not have their own mask. Social distancing will also be practiced inside the store by having only a limited number of consumers present in the store at once, O’Brien revealed. He also said that the company is focusing on providing customers with a more personalized experience at the Genius bar by limiting occupancy and giving everyone lots of room within the store.

The details of all the stores that plan to reopen will be updated on Apple’s “Find a store” search tool. As per reliable sources, stores in Idaho, South Carolina, Alabama, and Alaska opened last week. Apple plans to fully reopen more stores across the USA this week along with some curbside services at some locations in Washington and California.

Source Credits: https://www.theverge.com/2020/5/17/21261921/apple-stores-reopening-plans-us-locations