Covid19: An #AppleStore Worker on Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade Tests Positive for Coronavirus

An Apple Store worker on the Santa Monica Promenade has Coronavirus. The unnamed employee, who has been on leave since March 2, tested positive late yesterday. In response, Apple said they deep cleaned the Third Street location, and it is open for business.

They did, however, cancel their "Today at Apple" sessions, and spaced out appointments at the Genius Bar. Three employees at it's Irish HQ's tested positive earlier this month, and Apple has closed down all of it's locations in Italy. The last of Apple's 42 stores in mainland China re-opened today, but with reduced hours of operation.

Today, Apple said: "Apple's first priority - now and always - is the health and safety of our employees, customers and the communities we serve. An employee at our Third St. Promenade store in Santa Monica informed us they had tested positive for COVID-19 late yesterday.

The employee has not been to the store since taking leave on March 2 to care for a relative.

In consultation with health experts, we've taken a number of steps to protect our teams and customers. All our stores around the world have increased deep cleaning protocols and we have actively reduced customer density in all stores worldwide by cancelling Today at Apple sessions and creating extra space for Genius Bar appointments. As a precaution, we also undertook an additional extensive deep clean overnight before reopening the Third St. Promenade store.

We recognize this is a challenging and ever changing time for our global community and our thoughts are with those around the world personally affected by COVID-19 and the heroic medical professionals and researchers fighting it."

Additionally, Apple has extended sick time to all employees, and any employee with symptoms similar to COVID-19 will be paid for sick time as long as they are out.

The Third St. Promenade Apple Store in Santa Monica, Calif.