Coronavirus outbreak: All Apple stores outside China to remain closed till March 27

Apple is temporarily closing all of its stores outside China until March 27 in a bid to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, CEO Tim Cook said on Saturday.

The tech giant is also committing $15M to help treat those who are sick and to help lessen the economic and community impacts of the pandemic.

Cook said all of 42 Apple stores in Greater China have reopened as the rate of infections has dramatically declined in the country. They were closed on February 1 as the disease rapidly spread from Wuhan city to other parts of the country.

"What we’ve learned together (in China) has helped us all develop the best practices that are assisting enormously in our global response," he said. 

"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 said, adding that all of retail stores outside of Greater China will be closed till March 27.

Apple has about 500 stores in 24 countries around the world.

Apple's online store would remain open but office staff outside China would be working remotely if possible, Cook added.

The company chief also said its committed donations to the global COVID-19 response — both to help treat those who are sick and to help lessen the economic and community impacts of the pandemic — today reached $15 million worldwide.

"We’re also announcing that we are matching our employee donations two-to-one to support COVID-19 response efforts locally, nationally and internationally," he added. 

The California-based firm is also moving to flexible work arrangements in office worldwide outside of Greater China.

"That means team members should work remotely if their job allows, and those whose work requires them to be on site should follow guidance to maximize interpersonal space. Extensive, deep cleaning will continue at all sites. In all our offices, we are rolling out new health screenings and temperature checks," he said. 

"We have expanded our leave policies to accommodate personal or family health circumstances created by COVID-19 — including recovering from an illness, caring for a sick loved one, mandatory quarantining, or childcare challenges due to school closures," Cook added.

Apple said last month that it would miss its second quarter revenue forecast and global iPhone supplies would fall because of the pandemic that has taken over 5,000 lives and has infected over 115,000 people across the world.