Apple Mandates Fever Checks, Masks in Slow Reopening; 'Twists and Turns' Ahead?
Mask and temperature checks are among Apple mandates in its gradual reopening for U.S. stores. Nearly 100 Apple stores globally have opened doors to customers, after shutting during different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, blogged Deirdre O’Brien, senior vice president-retail,…
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outlining the company’s approach Sunday. Stores “will look a little different,” O’Brien said, with “plenty of space” due to occupancy controls and “giving everybody lots of room.” In early May, reports said the company planned to gradually reopen 271 U.S. stores, with the first in Alabama, Alaska, Idaho and South Carolina. A Charleston, South Carolina, store showed daily operating hours Monday of 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Hours at a Fairbanks, Alaska, store are 11 a.m.-6 p.m., noon-6 p.m. on Sunday. The Boise store is open daily 11 a.m.-7 p.m., noon-6 p.m. Sundays, and the Birmingham store is open daily 11 a.m.-6 p.m. A notice for reopened stores on the Apple website says: "For everyone’s safety, we’re following social distancing measures, so you may have to wait in line before entering." The company is reopening some stores this week in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Oklahoma and Washington. Customers shopping Apple.com can have products shipped, or pick them up at a store. O’Brien also pushed online and phone customer service and support for customer questions. The response to COVID‑19 is ongoing, she noted, and will have “twists and turns.” When looking back on COVID‑19, she said, “We should always remember how so many people around the world put the well‑being of others at the center of their daily lives.” The company didn't respond to questions Monday.