Apple plans to reopen some stores in April

Some Apple stores that were shuttered to combat the spread of coronavirus may reopen in the first half of April, according to a Bloomberg report. 

Some Apple stores that were shuttered to combat the spread of coronavirus may reopen in the first half of April, according to a Bloomberg report. 

“We will reopen our stores on a staggered basis,” Apple’s retail chief Deirdre O’Brien wrote in a memo seen by Bloomberg News. “At this time, we anticipate some stores may be able to open in the first half of April depending on the conditions in their community. We will provide updates for each store as soon as specific dates are established.” 

In mid-March, Apple stores outside of Greater China closed “until further notice” in response to a dramatic surge in the number of coronavirus cases worldwide. 

O’Brien said Apple would be extending “flexible” remote work plans to its team members through at least April 5. 

“In all our offices outside of Greater China, we are extending flexible work arrangements for all team members — outside of those whose work requires them to be onsite — through at least April 5, which will then be reevaluated weekly depending on your location,” O’Brien said in the note to employees. 

Apple’s retail chief said the company is “putting the health of our teams, customers, and communities first.” Apple is also reportedly donating nine million face masks to U.S. healthcare facilities.