Apple Closes Upper East Side Store Amid NYC's COVID Spike
UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — Apple has temporarily closed all of its New York City stores, including its Upper East Side retailer, as the region contends with a spike in COVID-19 cases caused by the omicron variant.
The Apple Store on Madison Avenue and East 74th Street closed Monday along with 12 other locations across the five boroughs. While in-store shopping is not allowed, customers can still place online orders and pick them up at the stores, according to the company's website.
"We regularly monitor conditions, and we will adjust our health measures to support the well-being of customers and employees,” Apple told Bloomberg in a statement.
"We remain committed to a comprehensive approach for our teams that combines regular testing with daily health checks, employee and customer masking, deep cleaning and paid sick leave."
The company also announced two weeks ago that storegoers must again wear masks inside locations when they shop.
Other locations affected by the move include Apple's big Fifth Avenue flagship. Nearby stores in Huntington Station and Manhasset, Long Island are also affected.
About 20,700 people tested positive for COVID-19 during the 7-day period that ended on Christmas, according to city data. Hospitalizations have also risen — to a seven-day average of 219 by Dec. 25 — but the city has thus far been spared a spike in deaths thanks to the vaccine.
Patch reporter Gus Saltonstall contributed.
This article originally appeared on the Upper East Side Patch
