Samsung is the latest tech giant to fall victim to a coronavirus shutdown.
The South Korean firm announced the closure of its Experience Stores across the US and Canada to help limit the spread of the virus.
Repair Centers will continue to stay open, but will be working on a limited schedule – Monday to Friday, from 10am to 3:30pm EST.
Samsung’s decision comes days after Apple shut down all of its retail stores outside China ‘until further notice.’
Samsung announced the closure of its Experience Stores across the US and Canada to help limit the spread of the virus
Coronavirus (COVID-19) began last December in China and has since infected at least 164 countries around the world.
As of Thursday morning, there are more than 227,000 cases and over 9,000 deaths reported across the globe.
However, the pandemic has made its way to the US and Canada, and it seems to just gaining momentum.
There are a total of 7,038 cases in the US and 97 deaths reported, while Canada has 690 cases and 35 people have died from the virus.
Experience Stores like this one in California have shut down across the US and Canada. Repair Centers will continue to stay open, but will be working on a limited schedule – Monday to Friday, from 10am to 3:30pm EST
Many tech companies have closed their stores in the past few weeks and Samsung is the latest to join.
‘As the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve we want to assure you that the health and safety of our employees, customers and partners is our top priority at Samsung,’ reads the announcement.
‘In an effort to protect our community, customers and employees, we will be closing Samsung Experience Stores, effective immediately.’
Coronavirus (COVID-19) began last December in China and has since infected at least 164 countries around the world
‘As of March 19th, dedicated Samsung Repair Centers will only be open between 10:00am to 3:30pm EST, Monday to Friday. Please refer to the locations listed below that will have reduced operating hours.’
The firm shut down its factories in South Korea earlier this month after five employees tested positive for the coronavirus.
Samsung Electronics initially suspended operations at its domestic smartphone plant in Gumi near Daegu days before for the second time in a week, after a third employee tested positive for the virus.
Apple pulled the plug on shutting down all of its US locations earlier this week.
The Cupertino company updated the banner on its website to state locations will be closed ‘until further notice.’
The tech giant had previously closed its locations outside of China until March 27th, but the banner on its US website has been amended to make closures indefinite, as first spotted by 9to5Mac.
Apple pulled the plug on shutting down all of its US locations earlier this week. The Cupertino company updated the banner on its website to state locations will be closed ‘until further notice’
Apple announced last week that it would be closing the doors to its stores outside of China for the next two weeks with March 27th as the re-opening date.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, made the announcement on Twitter early Saturday morning, saying that the measures will help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
‘In our workplaces and communities, we must do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Apple will be temporarily closing all stores outside of Greater China until March 27 and committing $15M to help with worldwide recovery,’ reads the tweet.
While the temporary closures are in place, Apple will continue to pay its hourly retail workers their wages.
It has also extended its leave policies, which will include recovering from illness, caring for families, mandatory quarantining or for those who have to look after their children during school closures.
Apple announced last week that it would be closing the doors to its stores outside of China for the next two weeks with March 27th as the re-opening date. Pictured is a sign hanging at a location in Chicago, Illinois
Apple’s empty flagship store on 5th Avenue pictured above after the company announced it will shutter for two weeks
A man in a protective mask walks past a closed Apple Store on Fifth Avenue which is closed, along with most other Apple Stores around the world. However, this location is no shutdown until further notice
Workers pictured inside the Apple flagship store in New York cleaning it up as its closed to the public
Empty tables at the Apple store in the World Trade Center pictured above
In a statement, Cook said that one of the most effective ways to minimize the risk of spreading coronavirus was to reduce density and maximize social distance.
‘As rates of new infections continue to grow in other places, we’re taking additional steps to protect our team members and customers,’ he said in the statement.
The company will also allow employees outside of China who work in offices to work remotely if their job allows.
‘Extensive, deep cleaning will continue at all sites. In all our offices, we are rolling out new health screenings and temperature checks,’ Cook said.
Alongside the temporary measures, Cook said the company will match employee donations two-to-one to to help with ‘worldwide recovery’, and effort which has now reached $15 million.
A general view shows a solitary customer looking through the glass of the Apple Store in Cardiff
A man wearing a face mask passes by a closed Apple Store in Paris, France on Saturday