Apple announced on Saturday it is temporarily shutting down its stores and offices in Mainland China, as a precaution over the ongoing coronavirus outbreak in the country.

The company said stores and offices would remain closed until February 9, 2020. In a statement to Reuters, Apple said, “Out of an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts, we’re closing all our corporate offices, stores, and contact centers in mainland China through February 9.”

Apple said store re-openings would try to happen “as soon as possible”, and this latest round of closures comes after three other stores were closed in China earlier this week.



Other American companies such as Starbucks and McDonald’s have also temporarily closed stores in China, as the coronavirus outbreak ensues, and people are told to stay home.

The origin of the coronavirus outbreak in China is Wuhan, home to Apple suppliers. Apple CEO Tim Cook said during the company’s latest earnings call it was coming up with contingency plans to deal with supply chain disruption in the city.