Apple to temporarily shut all stores in China amid virus spread

NICOLAS ASFOURI / AFP

Apple has announced the closure of all its stores and corporate offices in China due to concerns about the spread of the virus.

In a statement, the tech giant said the closure - "based on the latest advice from leading health experts" - will be in place until February 9.

Apple's joining a handful of retailers, including Starbucks and McDonald's, to temporarily shut stores as a precaution. 

Meanwhile, many other businesses have asked employees in China to work from home and cease non-essential business travel in the first week of February.

More from Business

  • DoH awards research projects over AED19 million to transform AD healthcare

    The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), in partnership with the Authority of Social Contribution - Ma’an, has awarded over AED19 million in grants to support advancements in groundbreaking fields such as cell and gene therapies, precision medicine, and advanced cancer treatments.

  • UAE, Italy sign MoU to combat financial, economic crimes

    The UAE General Secretariat of the National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee (GS-NAMLCFTC) and the Italian Guardia di Finanza on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a strategic partnership in the fight against the emerging financial crime threats.

  • Putin says there is no time to sign new Ukraine gas transit deal this year

    President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday there was no time left this year to sign a new Ukrainian gas transit deal, and laid the blame firmly on Ukraine for refusing to extend the agreement that brings gas to Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Austria.

  • New tax programme for government employees

    Dubai Finance (DOF) and PwC Academy, the talent and skills development arm of PwC Middle East, have announced a strategic partnership to introduce a new Tax Professional Certificate aimed at tax professionals working within Dubai’s government entities.

  • Brazil says workers at BYD construction site victims of human trafficking

    Chinese workers found at a construction site for a factory owned by China's electric vehicle producer BYD in Brazil's Bahia state are victims of human trafficking, Brazilian labor authorities said on Thursday.