The company confirmed on Tuesday that Apple is reinstating mask requirements at all U.S. stores due to a recent spike in COVID 19 cases.
The mask requirement applies to Apple employees and customers, according to the company. The policy change occurred amid rising concerns about the COVID- 19 variant, which is thought to be highly contagious and capable of evading some protection provided by existing vaccines.
Apple said in a statement that they monitor conditions, and they will adjust their health measures in stores to support the wellbeing of customers and employees. We now require all customers to wear masks while visiting our stores in order to be able to participate in rising cases in many communities. Apple has changed its mask policies in-store in response to COVID 19 cases levels. In November, the iPhone maker eased mask requirements in about half of its U.S. stores because case numbers declined.
The mask policies of the states are being reconsidered in response to the omicron variant. In recent days, California and New York have reinstated indoor mask mandates.