Apple retail stores now closed 'until further notice'

Two days ago, Apple shut down all its retail stores outside of China until March 27.

But now, as 9to5Mac first observed, the company removed that date from the banner on top of its website, which now says the company's retail stores are "closed until further notice."

The rest of the banner reads the same, pointing customers to make their purchases on Apple.com or via the Apple Store app.

Notably, Apple's FAQ on the subject still says the retail stores will be closed "through March 27."

"The most effective way to minimize risk of the virus’s transmission is to reduce density and maximize social distance," Tim Cook, Apple CEO, said in a statement after the closures were first announced. "As rates of new infections continue to grow in other places, we’re taking additional steps to protect our team members and customers."

The change is likely due to the unpredictable nature of the coronavirus outbreak, which is the reason behind the closures. As the number of cases rise in the U.S. and throughout Europe, local authorities are implementing stricter and stricter measures by the day, which in some areas mean closures of non-essential retail stores. And while some of the measures are temporary, in reality no one can say when the outbreak will be contained to a degree when it's safe to go back to normal again.

The coronavirus has so far killed more than 7,000 and infected more than 173,000 people. The outbreak has been worsening in the U.S. in recent weeks, with more than 4,400 confirmed cases and 86 deaths.