Influenced by the increase of COVID-19 cases, Apple once again closed some American stores.
On June 19, Apple said that it would temporarily close 11 stores in Florida, Arizona, South Carolina and North Carolina again because of the continuous increase of cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Customers who repair equipment in these stores will have a weekend to get their equipment back. As of the close on June 19 local time, Apple shares fell 0.57% to close at $349.72. According to CNBC report on June 20, since Apple closed its stores for the first time in March, with the improvement of the epidemic situation, all American stores have been reopened previously, and there are some epidemic prevention measures, including the need for consumers to wear masks and take temperature measurements, and some stores in some regions must make an appointment and pick up by the roadside. Now, affected by the epidemic, it is uncertain whether some stores can be opened. "Due to the current situation of COVID-19 in some communities we serve, we have temporarily closed stores in these areas." An Apple spokesman said in a statement, "We have taken this measure very carefully. We have closely followed the situation and hope that our team and consumers can return as soon as possible." At present, the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States has risen steadily. As of 8:47 on June 22, Beijing time, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in the United States has exceeded 2.275 million, and 119949 people have died. Deirdre O'Brien, head of Apple's retail business, said in a letter to consumers in May that the company will continue to check local data and may re close stores if necessary based on the data. O'Brien said: "These are not the decisions we are eager to make, and opening the store does not mean that we will not take preventive measures. Based on local conditions, we may close the store again."