Apple retail stores in Beijing are taking customers’ temperatures and requiring them to wear surgical masks as the area tries to normalize amidst the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Five Apple stores in Beijing reopened their doors with limited hours today after being closed since last month. CNBC senior correspondent Eunice Yoon posted a video from one of the newly reopened stores and the inside is shockingly empty.
Take a look at the entrance process:
Business attempts to normalize in #China despite #coronavirus. @Apple reopens its 5 Beijing stores today. Limited hours (11a-6p v. usual 10a-10p). One entrance only with temperature checks. $AAPL restricts # customers in stores. Busy but not thecrowds would see on #ValentinesDay. pic.twitter.com/FoKUrKKkc9
— Eunice Yoon (@onlyyoontv) February 14, 2020
Apple posted a notice on its Chinese retail site advising customers to wear masks and warning about the possible temperature checks. Retail employees are also being scanned and masked.
The coronavirus in China has claimed 1,384 lives so far with over 60,000 confirmed cases as of this morning. China’s federal government set new quarantine rules for anyone entering the Beijing territory, demanding they isolate themselves for 14 days.
Apple is limiting the number of customers it lets into its stores for now. Hours have been changed from 10AM – 10PM to just 11AM – 6PM. Apple CEO Tim Cook also said the company is deep cleaning all of its stores regularly.
Stores are the only part of Apple’s business that have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak. AirPods Pro shipping times still come with a month-long wait thanks to components shortages. Investors are also concerned that an extended outbreak could affect iPhone 12 production.
