Apple's operations in China are closed through next week. The coronavirus continues spreading around the world, and it appears the Cupertino-based company wants to protect its employees and partners in the area most vulnerable to the outbreak.
In a statement provided to Bloomberg, Apple revealed it has decided to close all retail stores, corporate offices, and contact centers in mainland China through February 9.
Both the World Health Organization and the United States' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the coronavirus a public health emergency in recent days. Nearly 10,000 in China are affected, and estimates suggest more than 200 people died due to the virus. In the U.S., the CDC started quarantining people and materials returning from China. Similarly, airlines are suspending flights in and out of the country. It's now starting to impact technology companies with significant operations in China and the surrounding region.
Social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, meanwhile, are battling misinformation about this virus.
Apple's online store will remain open. Anyone interested in purchasing an iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or another type of device can still do so. It's just a matter of distribution centers and delivery services staying open to ship orders.
"Out of an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts, we're closing all our corporate offices, stores, and contact centers in mainland China through February 9," the statement reads. "Apple's online store in China remains open. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and we look forward to reopening our stores as soon as possible."
Some companies with operations in China are taking advantage of the government's extension of the Lunar New Year. By advising people to stay home, the Chinese government hopes to stop the coronavirus from spreading so rapidly. Every province in China has identified multiple cases of the virus.
Production could take a hit soon if the coronavirus outbreak expands, but neither Apple nor Foxconn are indicating any plans to temporarily close manufacturing facilities. Foxconn released a statement that it's monitoring the coronavirus and will take action as necessary. There's no clear idea of how the coronavirus' path will play out, but research is ongoing to develop a treatment for people infected by it.
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