Cook in the letter acknowledged the intensity of COVID-19, imagining Apple”needs to continue to play a part in helping communities and individuals appear stronger” in the catastrophe.
The executive said Apple learned a fantastic deal from fighting the virus from China, in which the company just now reopened its series of 42 stores, also came off with a set of best practices which will assist others and it in formulating a worldwide reaction.
“One of those lessons is that the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance. As rates of new infections continue to grow in other places, we’re taking additional steps to protect our team members and customers.”, Cook writes.
Even though China’s stores stay available, albeit with decreased working hours, Apple will shut the rest of the outlets all over the world to regenerate spread and transmission of this virus. Before Cook’s letter, the company on Friday declared store closures around Spain and a single U.S. place in Pennsylvania.
Apple’s internet storefront, available via the net and also the official Apple Store program, will be available through the hiatus for brick-and-mortar stores. Clients searching for technical assistance and repairs are advised to stop by support.apple.com, where they are sometimes linked with local Authorized Service Providers or ask that a product to be sent in for support.
Throughout the temporary shutdown, all hourly employees are set to get whole pay, Cook explained. Further, Apple has upgraded work policies to adapt family or personal health conditions caused by COVID-19, such as recovering from an illness, caring for ill relatives, compulsory quarantining, or childcare challenges because of school closures.
Much like previous worldwide crises, Apple is donating funds into the worldwide COVID-19 response. According to Cook, the company’s responsibilities reached $15 million globally, with funds going toward therapy and also to”help reduce the community and economic impacts” of this virus. Apple is also matching employee contributions on a two-to-one foundation to encourage local, national and global COVID-19 response attempts.
“We do not yet know with certainty when the greatest risk will be behind us, And yet I have been inspired by the humanity and determination I have seen from all corners of our global community. As President Lincoln said in a time of great adversity: ‘The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.’ That’s always how Apple has chosen to meet big challenges. And it’s how we’ll rise to meet this one, too.”, Cook writes.
Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s SVP of both Retail and Individuals, issued a brief statement on Instagram to declare the forthcoming shop closures and invite retail workers.
“I am profoundly grateful to our exceptional team members all around the world who have shown such deep care for our customers and each other during this difficult time,” O’Brien explained.
The company this week shuttered all outlets in Italy on the rear of a nationwide quarantine, suspended Today at Apple sessions at the U.S. and instituted rigorous worldwide policies together with hopes of decreasing the spread of this virus.
Most recently, Apple on Friday declared this year’s Worldwide Developers Conference is going to be held entirely online as a result of continuing COVID-19 concerns.