Apple to Require Employees, Customers to Wear Masks in Many U.S. Stores

Apple earlier delayed by at least a month its plans for most of its workers to return to corporate offices three days a week. Both steps come as the Delta variant of the virus that causes Covid-19 has led to a rise in infections and hospitalizations in some areas in the U.S. and around the world.

The new mask policy in more than half its U.S. stores—which goes into effect July 29—comes after Apple reviewed new guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as local health data, the company said.

Apple had earlier loosened mask restrictions in stores, though in recent weeks it began strongly encouraging all employees to wear masks and requiring them to do so in about 45% of stores.

Chief Executive Tim Cook told investors Tuesday that although consumers showed optimism in recent months, the pandemic is far from over.

“As the last 18 months have demonstrated many times before, progress made is not progress guaranteed,” he said. “An uneven recovery to the pandemic and a Delta variant surging in many countries around the world have shown us once again that the road to recovery will be a winding one.”

Apple reported record spring quarter profits of $21.7 billion Tuesday and sales of $81.4 billion as demand remained strong for its new iPhones and other devices.

Write to Bradley Olson at [email protected]