* Apple has begun reopening some retail stores in the US in certain states like Alabama, Alaska, South Carolina, and Idaho.
* The move comes after Apple reopened stores in other parts of the world like South Korea and Australia, where cases of coronavirus have fallen.
* Confirmed cases in the United States continue to rise, though effects have varied by state. Some states have already ordered businesses to reopen even as the coronavirus continues to spread.
* Apple says the initial focus will remain on customer service through the Genius Bar, and is encouraging customers to shop virtually when possible. The company will also enforce precautions like temperature checks, face masks, and social distancing at its stores.
* Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Apple has begun reopening some retail stores in the United States, marking the first time the tech giant has opened US stores since closing all locations outside of China indefinitely in March.
The company is beginning with 5 stores in Alabama, Alaska, Idaho, and South Carolina. Apple is encouraging customers to purchase items online when possible, and said that the focus of its open stores will be on providing customer service and support through the Genius Bar.
Apple also said each store will implement safety procedures that involve social distancing, conduct temperature checks, and require customers to wear face coverings before entering.
"As local guidance varies around the US there may be slight modifications to our procedures," Apple said in a statement. "As always, our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19 and those working around the clock to treat, study and contain its spread."
Do you work at an Apple Store that has recently reopened or is planning to reopen? If so, we want to hear from you. Contact this reporter at leadicicco@businessinsider.com or through encrypted mail at lisaeadicicco@protonmail.com, or send a direct message on Twitter to @LisaEadicicco.
The move comes after Apple began reopening stores in South Korea, Australia, and Austria following its unprecedented decision to temporarily close all stores outside of China in March to prevent the spread of COVID-19. New cases in those countries have decreased dramatically, in part because of early response and widespread testing, and retail and public life has started to reopen.
In the US, cases continue to increase, with more than 80,000 people dead, though outbreak rates vary and new reported cases have started to decline in several states, including Alaska and Idaho, according to an analysis by The New York Times. That said, much of the country still struggles with limited testing capacity. Alabama, where Apple is opening one store, has seen an increase in new cases of COVID-19, according to The Times' analysis.
Coronavirus-prevention measures in the US have also had a dramatic effect on the economy, with unemployment surging to 14.7% as the country lost a record 20.5 million jobs. In response, a number of states have eased lockdown measures and begun reopening certain parts of the economy, despite rates of COVID-19. Such states include Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kansas, and Missouri among others.
Apple has not yet said when it will reopen stores in other parts of the country. Apple's stores in Georgia, which was among the first states to reopen and where the tech giant has six retail locations, remain temporarily closed.
The company's stores and the staff that run them are the company's face to the general public, from informing customers about new and existing products to facilitating customer support. Apple has been asking some staff to work remotely from home in support roles as stores have remained closed.
Apple has also launched several new products during the several weeks that most of its global stores remained closed, including the iPhone SE and new iPad Pro.
Here's a running list of the Apple retail stores in the US that have opened so far, according to Apple's website.
SEE ALSO: Here are all of the new products Apple is expected to launch this year
Birmingham, Alabama
The Apple Store at The Summit in Birmingham will reopen on May 13 with special operating hours of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day except for Sunday. On that day, the store will be open from noon to 6 p.m.
Alabama lifted its stay-at-home orders on April 30, and is allowing retail stores to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%.
Huntsville, Alabama
Apple's store on Bridge Street in Huntsville also opens on May 13 under the same operating hours as the The Summit location in Birmingham.
Anchorage, Alaska
The Apple Store at the Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall will reopen on May 15 with operating hours of 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except for Sunday, when the store opens at 12 p.m.
Some nonessential businesses and restaurants have been allowed to reopen in Alaska with restrictions. As part of Alaska's second reopening phase, retail stores are allowed to operate at 50% capacity with patrons wearing face coverings.
Boise, Idaho
Apple's store in the Boise Towne Square in Idaho has been open since May 12, with operating hours running from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
As of May 1, Idaho entered its first phase of reopening, which allows some businesses and places of worship to reopen while gyms, restaurants, bars, and night clubs remain closed.
Charleston, South Carolina
Apple's King Street location in Charleston will open on May 13 with operating hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Sundays, the store will open one hour later at 11 a.m.
Apple's other location in South Carolina, at the Haywood Mall in Greenville, remains temporarily closed.
South Carolina was among the last states to issue stay-at-home orders on April 7. Governor McMaster said on April 20 that some nonessential businesses would be able to reopen if they honor social distancing guidelines.
We'll update this story accordingly as more US locations re-open.
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