Apple Details Safety Measures When Reopening Apple Retail Stores, Including Curbside Pickup and Drop-off Option

[MacRumors]

Apple Senior Vice President of Retail & People Deirdre O'Brien today published a letter regarding Apple's approach on the reopening of retail stores. O'Brien mentioned that over 100 stores globally have already reopened their doors.

The letter notes that when a store does reopen, face coverings will be required for both Apple employees and customers. Apple will also be providing face coverings to those who do not bring their own.

In addition to face coverings, temperature checks will be taken at store entrances and posted health questions will help in screening one who may have been exposed to COVID-19. O'Brien also mentions that deep cleaning on surfaces, display products, and highly trafficked areas will take place frequently throughout the day.

Customers who do enter Apple's retail stores will have "plenty of space," according to O'Brien. Apple will be limiting occupancy in each store, which will help in renewing Apple's focus on "one‑on‑one, personalized service at the Genius Bar and throughout the store."

O'Brien also details Apple's approach to serving its customers more effectively. As an alternative to entering some physical stores, customers can expect to see curb-side pickup and drop off options. As usual, customers can continue to place orders online for an at home delivery. After opening its first US stores last week, Apple will continue to reopen its US stores on a gradual basis.

Article Link: Apple Details Safety Measures When Reopening Apple Retail Stores, Including Curbside Pickup and Drop-off Option

 

[KPOM]

This seems like a reasonable approach. Let’s see how other retailers respond.

 

[ghanwani]

This seems like a reasonable approach. Let’s see how other retailers respond.

There’s nothing new here. This is what grocery stores are already doing.

 

[Aeryn]

There’s nothing new here. This is what grocery stores are already doing.

Not everywhere. No grocery stores are taking temps in my area (CA), only some chains are requiring masks, and they gave up on occupancy limits a few weeks ago.

I think temperature checks, in general, are interesting. I wonder how many people have a normal body temp below 98.6. The frequent upper limit I see for denied entrance is 100.4, or 1.8 above "normal". My normal is 96.9 so 1.8 above my normal won't even flag on temperature check.

 

[lostom]

I visited a store last week, ( in Aus), the process worked ok.
I was buying new device, the staff outside the store all wearing masks and gloves (I think gloves, might be wrong), answered the Q's from a sign and confirmed my info, they took my details, temp check, mask issued and then in a line.
The was the worst part, it was quite a long wait, I'd recommend order online for a pickup, in hindsight.

There is a separate line for pickups.

When I got the front of the line, the girl, ordered my device, another staff member brought it to the front of the store, scan, pay, finished.
It was pretty seamless and easy, well managed.
They were only letting inside around 20 people, I'd estimate.

 

[Clix Pix]

Not everywhere. No grocery stores are taking temps in my area (CA), only some chains are requiring masks, and they gave up on occupancy limits a few weeks ago.

I think temperature checks, in general, are interesting. I wonder how many people have a normal body temp below 98.6. The frequent upper limit I see for denied entrance is 100.4, or 1.8 above "normal". My normal is 96.9 so 1.8 above my normal won't even flag on temperature check.

I was wondering about that myself, since I, too, tend to run lower than the norm, the usual 98.6; I'm most often in the 96.7 or 96.8 range, and have always been this way throughout my life. For me, if I were to hit 99-something, I'd begin to be a bit concerned, but yes, for most people that would not at all raise any red flags. Definitely if I were to hit 100 or above it would certainly be indicative of something wrong somewhere and I would absolutely feel the need to immediately seek medical attention. It's most likely, though, that if my temperature were to go over 100 that I already would not be feeling well for whatever reason, regardless of the cause of the fever, and wouldn't be running around going shopping anyway.

 

[Aeryn]

It's most likely, though, that if my temperature were to go over 100 that I already would not be feeling well for whatever reason, regardless of the cause of the fever, and wouldn't be running around going shopping anyway.

Yeah, same here. If I'm running a 100+ temperature there's a damn good chance I'm not even vertical, let alone mobile.

 

[citysnaps]

There’s nothing new here. This is what grocery stores are already doing.

Nope. I've yet to have a temperature check at any grocery store, or have questions been asked about symptoms. Nor have masks been offered or curbside delivery offered.

Excellent move by Apple.

 

[PhireWare]

There’s nothing new here. This is what grocery stores are already doing.

Which is why it seems reasonable. Nothing crazy or out of the ordinary.

 

[KaliYoni]

"Apple will also be providing face coverings to those who do not bring their own."

I hope Apple just hands out standard surgical masks made by an established supplier. The last thing any of us needs to mess around with right now is a FacePod™ mask that's only 0.3 μm thin, doesn't include earloops (but available for $600), and has a butterfly design. Plus it isn't cool to tell somebody who ends up getting sick "you weren't wearing it right".

 

[IssuesGuy]

I always wonder what is the point of temperature reading. One can always suppress/mask out fever with Tylenol. So what does no high fever prove? Also, COVID-19 is asymptomatic. So you could be positive and is touring Apple Store days before you show symptoms. I think all these procedures are just for show, to appease our superficial anxieties. Requiring everyone to wear masks, alcohol wipes, 6ft separation, high ceiling, constantly circulating air flow upward/outward... these are more tangible, realistic measures.

 

[KPOM]

There’s nothing new here. This is what grocery stores are already doing.

I’ve been to the grocery store several times and haven’t had my temperature taken.
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Nope. I've yet to have a temperature check at any grocery store, or have questions been asked about symptoms. Nor have masks been offered or curbside delivery offered.

Excellent move by Apple.

I had to send my MacBook to an authorized repair center for repair. When I picked it up, the store there was handing out masks if you didn’t have one. This was about 3 weeks ago.

 

[citysnaps]

I always wonder what is the point of temperature reading. One can always suppress/mask out fever with Tylenol. So what does no high fever prove? Also, COVID-19 is asymptomatic. So you could be positive and is touring Apple Store days before you show symptoms. I think all these procedures are just for show, to appease our superficial anxieties. Requiring everyone to wear masks, alcohol wipes, 6ft separation, high ceiling, constantly circulating air flow upward/outward... these are more tangible, realistic measures.

Are you proposing temperature checks should not be done (because they're for show)? And you'd be ok with a nearby customer with an elevated temperature having been admitted?

 

[Professor Rucy]

When the usual cold and flu season returns, will Apple continue this new dress code?

For crissake, if Apple is this scared, just keep the doors closed!

The world is becoming a live-action Black Mirror.

 

[citysnaps]

When the usual cold and flu season returns, will Apple continue this new dress code?

For crissake, if Apple is this scared, just keep the doors closed!

The world is becoming a live-action Black Mirror.

Apple should have kept their 10 stores in New York City open?

 

[cvam1985]

When the usual cold and flu season returns, will Apple continue this new dress code?

For crissake, if Apple is this scared, just keep the doors closed!

The world is becoming a live-action Black Mirror.

Any store that makes me wear a mask is a store I won’t shop in anymore. And a freaking temperature check to get inside?! Why would you have to wear a mask to shop at Apple but not at a grocery store or WALMART?? This whole thing is so ludicrous and I can’t believe what has happened to society.

 

[I7guy]

Are you proposing temperature checks should not be done (because they're for show)? And you'd be ok with a nearby customer with an elevated temperature having been admitted?

The aphorism "better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without" comes to mind. Why bother to do anything unless it's perfect...is an unfortunate mindset.

 

[ian87w]

There’s nothing new here. This is what grocery stores are already doing.

Used to. In my town, the grocery stores no longer doing that due to the crowd as they're already packed as usual, and people no longer cares about physical distancing. Most still wear masks though, so I guess that helps.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

I think temperature checks, in general, are interesting. I wonder how many people have a normal body temp below 98.6. The frequent upper limit I see for denied entrance is 100.4, or 1.8 above "normal". My normal is 96.9 so 1.8 above my normal won't even flag on temperature check.

Same here. A lot of people have low body temperatures. We could have low-grade fevers and no one would know it.

 

[citysnaps]

The aphorism "better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without" comes to mind. Why bother to do anything unless it's perfect...is an unfortunate mindset.

Exactly. I've yet to encounter anything in life having 100% perfection; especially when humans are involved at some stage.

 

[lyngo]

Does anyone know how the 14 day return policy will work for those that purchased stuff awhile ago with these staggered openings?

 

[goonie4life9]

Talk about burying a lede: “one-on-one, personalized service at the Genius Bar....”

 

[glowplug]

If those complimentary face masks have an Apple logo they’ll have a few hundred customers lined up at the door.

 

[TheSkywalker77]

So are you still allowed to walk in (after getting your mask, temperature checked, and answering the questions) and mess around with the devices? Or are they only opening up the stores for Genius Bar appointments and in-store pickups? The article made it sound like they weren't intending on people walking in just to play with the devices.

 

[macmyworld]

Apple is doing risk mitigation. None of it is close to perfect. Temperature checks might catch 40% of active carriers and masks may limit spread another 10 to 20% (masks outside of N95 are not that effective). But — they obviously feel this is better than nothing.

Apple is in a unique position as they can weather COVID. So they can make they can afford to turn some customers away. Customers can choose to not shop.

My biggest beef with Apple is how poorly they handled repairs through this.