As we previously reported, some Apple retail stores in Beijing, China, are open today. But Apple is still taking precautions due to coronavirus concerns.
CNBC‘s Bureau Chief out of China, Eunice Yoon, reports that Apple, while opening its retail stores in the area, is still taking measured steps to try and limit the potential spread of the coronavirus. The stores that are open today already have limited hours, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time (instead of the standard 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM local time), but the company is going beyond that, too.
Yoon notes in a video uploaded to Twitter today that employees at these Apple Stores are screening customers at the door, checking their body temperature before they are allowed in. And the company is apparently limiting crowd sizes as well, reducing the overall number of people allowed in any one of the stores at any given time.
Here’s Yoon’s video:
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
The global spread of the coronavirus is impacting a lot of businesses, including Apple. However, many companies are trying to find some semblance or normalcy and get things back on track, even as the global health crisis continues. And while these five stores in Beijing have reopened, Apple is keeping many other stores in China closed for the time being.
What’s more, Apple is still delaying the return of its corporate offices and contact centers employees.
This might make visiting an Apple Store in Beijing a little cumbersome, and some may see it as an unnecessary precaution, but it certainly feels necessary for now.