Apple Implementing Partial Store Closures in New York City due to Omicron Variant Surge
It's no secret that the omicron variant of COVID-19 is causing chaos in some parts of the United States, and if you need a clear sign, just take a peek at your local Apple Store. On Monday, for instance, all seven Apple Stores in New York City were shuttered, as reported by Reuters.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York stated during a news conference that the state reported 26,000 daily positive cases on Sunday. However, she claimed that this number was significantly underestimated due to reduced testing over the holiday weekend. Hochul forecasted a potential increase of up to 20,000 cases or more in the coming days.
Apple confirmed that its stores would only operate for pickup services. Customers could still order products online and collect them in-store. The tech giant stated that they continuously monitor health conditions and adapt their services and health measures to prioritize the wellbeing of employees and consumers.
Furthermore, not only New York City Apple Stores were closed, but approximately 20 Apple Stores across the nation met the same fate. Some stores closed due to employee illnesses, and others did so as a precautionary measure to ensure safety.
Gizmodo reached out to Apple for more information but did not receive a response at the time of publication. We will update this article if any new information becomes available.
Monitoring Apple Store closures has become an unusual yet telling sign of the pandemic's severity, as Apple quickly responds to rising cases by closing stores if deemed unsafe.
As of now, the U.S. is reporting 198,404 COVID-19 cases per day according to CNN, which is the highest number of cases since January 19.
Now, shifting gears to some other related headlines, Walgreens announced plans to close 1,200 stores nationwide within three years, with 500 closures planned for 2025. This move is part of an initiative to boost profitability by shutting down underperforming stores and clinics. Meanwhile, Walgreens is dealing with a $987 million arbitration award related to a contract dispute with PWNHealth (now Everly Health Solutions) over COVID-19 testing. Walgreens intends to appeal the ruling made by a federal judge in Delaware. Lastly, Walgreens is closing five stores in Los Angeles and Orange County, California, which might result in 93 job losses.
Keep an eye on these trends, as the fight against COVID-19 continues, and companies navigate their business operations to best protect their employees and customers while achieving profitability goals.
The tech industry, including Apple, is modifying its operations due to the rising COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday, Apple confirmed that it would only offer pickup services at its stores to reduce physical contact, as seen in several Apple Stores across the U.S. due to confirmed cases or as a precautionary measure.
The future of technology use in preventing the spread of diseases, such as the use of contact tracing apps, is gaining significance amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Apple, for instance, has continuously adapted its services and health measures to prioritize employee and customer wellbeing.
Government health organizations are pushing for widespread testing to monitor the spread of the omicron variant and ensure accurate case reporting. For instance, in response to reduced testing over the holiday weekend, New York Governor Hochul forecasted an increase of up to 20,000 daily positive cases or more in the coming days.
The ongoing COVID-19 situation has impacted various sectors, including retail, with Walgreens planning to close 1,200 stores nationwide within three years, aiming to boost profitability by shutting down underperforming stores and clinics. Despite this, Walgreens is also facing legal issues related to its COVID-19 testing services.
