Apple is requiring masks again at all US retail stores

[Mike Mercury]

It had started phasing them out in November

https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/14/...-omicron-covid

Apple is again requiring customers to wear masks in all its US retail stores after it had reportedly rolled back the mandate for around half of its locations. In an email to The Verge, the company said that “amid rising cases in many communities, we now require that all customers join our team members in wearing masks while visiting our stores.”

While employees have been required to wear masks throughout most of the pandemic, customers haven’t always had to, which has led to outbreaks at some Apple stores. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also reports that some locations will have occupancy limits.

Apple’s current mask policy was reportedly enacted in early November when some retail stores dropped the requirement following increased vaccination rates and decreased infection rates. This cycle seems to be a repeat of what happened this summer — Apple started relaxing mask requirements for some stores in June but brought them back at most locations in July.

Apple is reinstating these requirements as the number of COVID infections in the US is again on the rise, even as booster shots start to become widely available.

This change also comes after a widespread outbreak was reported at an Apple store in Southlake, Texas, earlier this month. According to NBC News, 22 employees at the location tested positive for COVID following Black Friday, where some staff reported that customers (who were not required to wear masks) were packed into the store “shoulder to shoulder.”

Apple also told The Verge: “We regularly monitor conditions and we will adjust our health measures in stores to support the wellbeing of customers and employees.”

[DJ_Critterus]

apple can eat a bag of dicks. Their genius bar is staffed with dumbasses, anyway.

[Mike Mercury]

[Dan Dlabay]

Apple can take their wokeness and stick it where the sun don't shine.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Dan Dlabay

Apple can take their wokeness and stick it where the sun don't shine.

They will probably line up for that experience days in advance, too.

[Bill]

I have an Android phone that I had inadvertently somehow switched to a Chinese character keyboard. I went to my local phone store for help, they insisted on a mask, wouldn't budge. How about if I leave the phone on the counter and go stand in the corner while you work on it? Nope. How about if I leave the phone on the counter, walk out, and wait outside? We finally agreed that they would fix the phone while I waited outside, even though I'm leaving an obviously infected bioweapon in their store. So 10 or so minutes later, masked employee comes out and says he doesn't know how to fix it, suggests I just buy a new phone. He has no problem standing right next to me to show me the things he DID try to fix the phone, as long as we are outside.

So I just posted here and of course the VB came up with the instructions to fix it almost immediately.

[DAB]

does this rule apply if you are part of a smash and grab gang?

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by DAB

does this rule apply if you are part of a smash and grab gang?

No, that would be racist.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by DAB

does this rule apply if you are part of a smash and grab gang?

Have you ever heard of an Apple store being targeted by a smash-and-grab?

There's a good reason for that.

[gs568]

Originally Posted by bill_daniels

I have an Android phone that I had inadvertently somehow switched to a Chinese character keyboard. I went to my local phone store for help, they insisted on a mask, wouldn't budge. How about if I leave the phone on the counter and go stand in the corner while you work on it? Nope. How about if I leave the phone on the counter, walk out, and wait outside? We finally agreed that they would fix the phone while I waited outside, even though I'm leaving an obviously infected bioweapon in their store. So 10 or so minutes later, masked employee comes out and says he doesn't know how to fix it, suggests I just buy a new phone. He has no problem standing right next to me to show me the things he DID try to fix the phone, as long as we are outside.

So I just posted here and of course the VB came up with the instructions to fix it almost immediately.

Go to your local Chinatown and find a cellphone vendor.

[Steve_R]

Just one more reason I don't need to enter an Apple store.

[DAB]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Have you ever heard of an Apple store being targeted by a smash-and-grab?

There's a good reason for that.

about 3 weeks ago:

https://9to5mac.com/2021/11/25/apple...mash-and-grab/

The Santa Rosa Police Department is investigating a recent “smash-and-grab” burglary that occurred this week at an Apple Store in Northern California.

The theft occurred on Wednesday at 11:36 a.m. at Apple Store Santa Rosa Plaza in Santa Rosa, California. According to a local police report, four suspects believed to be aged 14 to 18 were involved in the crime that unfolded during business hours while customers and employees were in the store.

The theft happened just one day before Apple closed its retail stores for Thanksgiving in the United States. The police department says that the suspects managed to escape with over $20,000 in stolen Apple merchandise

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by dvarapala

Have you ever heard of an Apple store being targeted by a smash-and-grab?

because looters do not want to get HIV.

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Steve_R

Just one more reason I don't need to enter an Apple store.

^^^^^^^This.

Wife wanted a new iWatch and a pair of airpods for Christmas. Through the magic of the internet, both are sitting on my dining room table waiting to be wrapped without me ever having to put on a mask.

[dvarapala]

Originally Posted by DAB

about 3 weeks ago:

https://9to5mac.com/2021/11/25/apple...mash-and-grab/

Thanks for ruining a good Apple slam.

[Louie Detroit]

What exactly is available at an Apple store that you can't buy online for about the same price?

[DAB]

Originally Posted by Louie Detroit

What exactly is available at an Apple store that you can't buy online for about the same price?

you'll miss the crummy music, the snotty air of the staff, the feeling of unworthiness, the despair of not being as sleek and fashionable in your decorating choices at home...

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by DAB

you'll miss the crummy music, the snotty air of the staff, the feeling of unworthiness, the despair of not being as sleek and fashionable in your decorating choices at home...

I like to walk in picking my nose, and then fart as soon as I am deep inside. As I leave, I smudge up all the screens on everything in sight.

[73sbVert]

Originally Posted by DAB

about 3 weeks ago:

https://9to5mac.com/2021/11/25/apple...mash-and-grab/

the suspects managed to escape with over $20,000 in stolen Apple merchandise

So they stole what, 4 things?? 😁

(overpriced crap IMHO)

[Stangkiller]

They gave me a mask back in october when i picked up my new watch. Big deal their store their choice, its a mask it didnt hurt me.