Apple plans to remove mask requirements for customers at U.S. Apple Stores

      According to AppleInsider, starting from November 5th local time, Apple will end the mask requirement for customers in many retail stores in the United States. About 100 Apple Stores will cancel the mandatory mask requirement on Friday and gradually expand to more places in the coming days. The new policy will apply to customers regardless of their vaccination status.

　　The company cited a decline in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and an increase in vaccinations as the reasons for the change.

　　According to a memo seen by Bloomberg: "After careful review, the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) team, along with management, determined it was safe to update our mask guidance for customers in your stores. Positive trends in vaccinations, testing, and case counts in your area make this change possible."

　　Stores in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, Louisiana, New Jersey and Connecticut will be the first places to relax mask guidelines. However, mask requirements will continue in areas such as Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area because local governments require masks to be worn indoors.

　　Apple employees will still be required to wear masks for the foreseeable future. “Team members spend extended periods of time interacting in stores and in close proximity throughout the day,” the memo states.

　　The memo also states that Apple reserves the right to monitor local guidance and reinstate mandates if the company deems it necessary.

　　Apple had ended its initial mask requirement, allowing vaccinated customers to enter stores without masks, on June 15, 2021. However, the decision was temporary, as the Cupertino tech giant reinstated its mask requirement a month later.