Coronavirus: Apple closes stores in China amid outbreak
- The iPhone maker is closing stores, corporate offices and contact centres in China until February 9
- It said the move came “out of an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts”
The ongoing outbreak of the novel coronavirus caused Apple to temporarily close its 42 stores in mainland China, one of its largest markets, on Saturday as the death toll in the country rose to 259.
The iPhone maker said in a statement it was closing stores, corporate offices and contact centres in China until February 9 “out of an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts”.
“Our thoughts are with the people most immediately affected by the coronavirus and with those working around the clock to study and contain it,” the statement said.
Apple’s online store will remain open.
China is the company’s third biggest market in terms of sales behind the United States and Europe, and it is also where most iPhones and other devices are made.
CEO Tim Cook told analysts on Tuesday that uncertainty due to the outbreak was keeping the Cupertino, California-based company from offering more specific guidance about its financial performance in the coming months after announcing results for the holiday shopping season that were far better than investors anticipated.