The technology giant Apple has announced on Saturday the closure of all its physical stores in mainland China until February 9 by the outbreak of the new coronavirus in the Asian country.
“Our thoughts are with the people most immediately affected by the coronavirus and with those who are working throughout the day to study and contain it,” according to a company statement, collected by the CNBC network.
“As a precaution and based on the most recent advice from leading health experts, we are closing all of our corporate offices, stores and contact centers in China until February 9,” the statement said.
However, online stores in China will continue to operate.
Although China is the epicenter of the outbreak and the most affected country, the coronavirus has already spread to other countries in Southeast Asia and cases have also been detected in Europe and America.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough and shortness of breath. In more severe cases, the infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
In 2003, more than 600 people died worldwide (349 in China) due to SARS or acute respiratory syndrome, which left 5,327 affected in nine months.
