Microsoft Closes Retail Stores as Coronavirus Precaution
Microsoft is shuttering all Microsoft Store locations until further notice, following similar moves by Apple and other retailers attempting to limit the spread of coronavirus in their brick-and-mortar shops.
In a letter to customers and the community e-mailed Monday night, David Porter, Microsoft Store corporate vice president, wrote: "With today's recommendation from the United States government to not socially gather in groups of more than 10 people, we will be temporarily closing Microsoft Store locations -- effective immediately."
"We are closing all Microsoft Store locations to help protect the health and safety of our customers and our employees. During this unprecedented time, the best way we can serve you is to do everything we can to help minimize the risk of the virus spreading," Porter wrote.
According to the Microsoft Store locations homepage, Microsoft operates 73 stores in the United States, seven in Canada and one each in Australia, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.
The digital version of the Microsoft Store remains open and employees are staffing the support.microsoft.com site, as well.
The move follows Microsoft's decision March 4 to encourage employees in the Seattle and San Francisco areas to work from home.
Posted by Scott Bekker on 03/17/2020 at 3:51 PM