Apple store in Shadyside among those nationwide closed over coronavirus fears

Would-be shoppers at the Apple store on Walnut Street in Shadyside were greeted by a closure notice, part of the tech giant’s decision to close all stores outside of China for two weeks in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Stores, for now, are scheduled to reopen March 27.

“Apple has always done things right,” said Chuck Culbertson of Shadyside, who passed by the store Sunday morning. “(It’s) something we should have done three or four weeks ago. It appears that we’ve taken on this threat really too late.”

Chuck Culbertson of Shadyside reacts to @apple closing stores. He’s talking in front of the Apple store on Walnut Street pic.twitter.com/8EtefCIEv2

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) March 15, 2020

Apple’s online stores will remain open. Workers will continue to be paid, and office staff will work remotely if possible, CEO Tim Cook said in a statement issued Friday.

Apple temporarily shut its 42 stores in China at the height of the country’s outbreak. Those stores have now reopened.

One of the lessons Apple learned in China is that “the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance,” Cook said. Cook also said the company would commit $15 million “to help with worldwide recovery.”

The Associated Press contributed.