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Canada's 29 Apple Stores Are Closing Temporarily Because Of COVID-19 Concerns

Stores won't re-open for two weeks.
Minor Traveler | Wikimedia

Another day, another closure. Apple's Canada stores closed temporarily because of concerns surrounding COVID-19. You won't be able to head into a store to buy something or get tech support so you'll have to do things online instead.

On March 14, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that all retail locations outside of China would shut down temporarily for two weeks because of the ongoing pandemic situation.

The 29 Apple spots that are in Canada are included in that closure.

Until March 27, all of them will be shut down but you can still take advantage of Apple services online during the two-week shutdown.

If you're looking to buy a new product, you can get it online through the website or the Apple Store app on your devices.

Also, for service and support, you can get help online.

Citing lessons learned at locations in China, Cook said in a statement that "the most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance."

So that's what led the tech giant to make the decision to shut down around the world.

"We are committed to providing exceptional service to our customers," Cook said.

Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, said in a press conference on March 13 that social distancing is an important contribution that all Canadians can make.

So avoiding large crowds, like the ones often seen in Apple stores, and keeping your distance from others can have a big impact.

While they're closing the doors in other parts of the world, all of Apple's locations in Greater China have re-opened.

The Canadian locations are in B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

"We do not yet know with certainty when the greatest risk will be behind us," Cook said.

His statement didn't rule out the possibility of future closures after March 27.

All of Apple's hourly workers will continue to get paid as if it was business as usual and leave policies have been expanded so people can take time off for health reasons related to the virus.