As per recent reports, Apple is planning at reopening of the retail stores, which were shut down due to coronavirus outbreak, most likely by the end of this month. Covid-19 pandemic made an extremely damaging impact on businesses across the industries, paralyzing the world’s economic nervous system completely. The biggest tech companies were not left unabashed by the pandemic making the top brands like Apple shut down its stores across the country.
Apple To Re-Open Stores With Covid-19 Safety Guidelines In Place
However, as economies begin to revive, and governments are allowing the markets to reopen, Apple has indicated that the smartphone giant may reopen some of the stores shut during the pandemic. As per a report by Bloomberg, ‘people familiar with the matter’ have said that Apple is planning to reopen the stores in the US, most likely by the end of this month.
For several months consumers were mostly restricted at their homes with the lockdown restrictions and quarantine orders; in such a scenario, Apple did not see any benefit in keeping stores open. Many of the retail outlets were shut down, considering no footfall of the buyers and keeping the staff’s safety in focus.
Employees reportedly Informed of Return To Work
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Apple has also started to inform the Apple Store staff that they may resume work as early as the end of August. The company closed around 270 stores in the United States around March when the pandemic started. Few of the stores were reopened in May; however, when the covid 19 spread was accelerated, these stores were closed again. There is no clarity about which stores will open; however, the retail outlets’ staff has been told that the stores will continue to function with all the social distancing practices. Every store will also follow the occupancy guidance as per the local administration.
The stores will continue to work on the appointment basis in which the customers need to pre-book their slots before coming to the store to buy a phone or any inquiries.
Social Distancing Guidelines Strictly Followed.
The stores open to service during pandemics followed all the social distancing guidelines and allowed only the minimum number of persons inside as per the local guidelines. There was strict compliance with the sanitization and covid safety policies like mandatory mask or face covering. The stores had a temperature check in place for all incoming persons.
Apple Realigned the Retail Staff
The tech giant had realigned the retail stores’ staff to the online platforms sale and remote support. However, the staff has been told that they may be working on the same positions for the near future however, as the stores reopen, they may be called back at physical stores.
Apple’s Chief for people and retail Deirdre O’Brien said that there is the least chance of full staff returning to in-office work in 2020.