The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues. After Apple had to close stores and offices in China, Italy is now following suit.
The Italian government has just decided today that schools and universities will remain closed until mid-March - this is reported by various news agencies. The reason is the rapid spread of COVID-19. The country is currently the worst affected after China. Now Apple has also had to temporarily close the Apple Oriocenter in the province of Bergamo on the orders of the Italian government, as the company announced on its own website. website confirmed.
Medium and large retail stores affected
Specifically, Prime Minister Palazzo Chigi has issued a decree that stipulates that all medium and large retail stores, including those in shopping centers, will be closed next weekend. This means that Apple must also remain closed on March 7th and 8th. The new decree applies to the provinces of Bergamo, Cremona, Lodi and Piacenza. But other parts of Italy must also act in a similar way. According to reports, Apple il Leone, Apple Fiordaliso and Apple Carosello have already closed on February 29th and March 1st.
travel bans to Italy and South Korea
Währenddessen berichten US-Medien, wonach Apple bereits Reiseverbote nach Italien und Südkorea erteilt haben soll. Hier sollen lediglich “geschäftskritische” Reisen erlaubt sein. Eine Genehmigung muss dabei von einem Vice President eingeholt werden – so eine anonyme Quelle. Ob es weitere Schließungen geben wird, ist derzeit nicht bekannt – doch auszuschließen ist das Ganze nicht. Anfang Februar musste Apple alle Firmenbüros, Geschäfte und Kontaktzentren auf dem chinesischen Festland schließen. Mittlerweile ist ein Großteil dieser Standorte wieder geöffnet, allerdings unter höchsten Sicherheitsmaßnahmen. Tagesaktuelle Informationen zum Coronavirus findet ihr auf der offiziellen Webseite des Federal Ministry of Health. (Photo by Stockgood / Bigstockphoto)
