OPEN AND SHUT

Apple Reopens Stores Across China, Closes Them Everywhere Else

Apple took the unprecedented measure of shutting all stores in China a month ago. Now, as COVID-19 abates after a massive monthlong lockdown, stores are open again there.

Apple has closed all stores across the world with the exception of China, where it reopened after a monthlong lockdown over the novel coronavirus. Tim Cook, head of Apple, confirmed the closures saying, “We must do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19.” The reopening of all 42 official stores in China marks a turning point in their battle with the virus, which was first detected in Wuhan province in December 2019. The reopening of the stores was celebrated in countries like Italy, where the same iron-fisted lockdown to contain the spread of the virus just got underway. Apple sold half the number of phones in February as it sold a year ago as demand plunged—but Foxconn, the company that runs Apple’s production factories, along with suppliers have also returned to work.