Apple closes all UK Apple Stores to walk-in customers, operating by appointment shopping only
Apple has closed all of its Apple Stores across the UK to walk-in customers amid the rapid spread of the Omicron COVID-19 strain, now requiring shoppers in the country to pre-book an appointment with an Apple Store specialist should they wish to purchase products in-store, or to get Genius Support.
The updated policy in the UK follows after Apple closed six retail locations in the country earlier this month to walk-in customers, with all the company’s stores closed in New York City and a mask mandate back in place across the US.
Spotted by Shaun Jenks on Twitter, as well as making stores by appointment only, Apple Brent Cross in London has closed until Tuesday. The Apple Store app now displays the following message when searching for an Apple Store in the UK: “We’re currently open by appointment only and are unable to welcome walk-in customers at this time. Shop one-to-one with a Specialist by reserving a shopping session, pickup online orders, and get Genius Support by making an appointment.”
As Covid infections and isolation pings continue to rise Apple has made all UK stores “Appointment Only”. Also Brent Cross store is fully closed until Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/kFLDGCNomk
— Shaun Jenks🦖 (@Shaunjenks) January 1, 2022
NBC reported earlier this month that Apple’s Southlake Town Square retail store in Southlake, Texas was forced to close after Black Friday due to a COVID-19 outbreak amongst staff, with a reported total of 22 positive cases among employees out of the store’s 151 team members.