Apple reopens all its stores in China, with shorter hours, amid signs coronavirus has peaked in country
- The coronavirus outbreak, which has morphed into a global pandemic, forced the government to put parts of China under complete lockdown
Apple has reopened all its stores in mainland China after weeks of closures amid the coronavirus outbreak, as the company’s third-largest market gradually restarts business amid signs that the pandemic has peaked in the country.
All 42 Apple stores across mainland China will open starting from Friday, according to the company’s website. However, most of the stores will operate on limited trading hours, with some stores in Beijing and neighbouring Tianjin closing as early as 7pm.
An Apple spokeswoman confirmed the reopening.
In early February, Apple announced the closure of all its stores in China amid the outbreak of the deadly new coronavirus, before gradually opening with shorter trading hours. The first batch of five stores in Beijing opened from February 13, and required customers to wear facial masks and have their body temperature checked before entering the stores.
China is the US tech giant’s third-biggest market and the production hub for most of its phones and other devices.
The coronavirus outbreak, which has morphed into a global pandemic, forced the government to put parts of China under complete lockdown. But China's health commission said on Thursday that the coronavirus epidemic has now peaked within the country, signalling that the government may soon be prepared to lift its disease control measures and reopen schools and businesses.