People wearing face masks wait in a queue outside Apple store in Tokyo. Getty
People wearing face masks wait in a queue outside Apple store in Tokyo. Getty
People wearing face masks wait in a queue outside Apple store in Tokyo. Getty
People wearing face masks wait in a queue outside Apple store in Tokyo. Getty

Apple temporarily shuts 18 retail outlets in UK


Alkesh Sharma
  • English
  • Arabic

Apple temporarily closed 18 retail outlets in the UK as a fresh wave of Covid-19 cases forced the government to impose a third lockdown.

The technology company had already closed 20 of its 38 UK stores over the past fortnight.

"We are temporarily closed. Shop online with free, contactless delivery and visit Apple Support for help with products and services. We look forward to welcoming you again as soon as it's possible," the company said on its UK website.

The company’s shares fell by 2.47% to $129.41 on Monday.

Apple has only allowed customers into UK stores with a prior appointment since November.

The UK tightened movement restrictions on Monday after the government conceded that the new variant of Covid-19 was beyond control.

Scotland’s devolved government also announced stay-at-home orders on Monday until the end of January to arrest the spread of the highly-transmissible strain.

“For the safety of our customers and colleagues, all orders are currently shipping with contactless next-day delivery. This means that your delivery driver may ask for verbal confirmation from a safe distance instead of a written signature. Orders that don’t require a signature will be left at your door,” Apple said.

“Convenient pickup is also available. At checkout, simply choose to send your order to a pickup location near you,” it added.

Apple said in December that it is temporarily shutting all of its 53 stores in California after Covid-19 cases rose.

Most of the open outlets in the US are limited to storefront pick-up of online orders.

Last year, Apple closed its stores in China as the pandemic struck but reopened them by March. The iPhone maker also temporarily shut down more than 460 shops globally after the pandemic spread.

The line up

Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego  

Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh  

Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com

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Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice. 

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

What can you do?

Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses

Seek professional advice from a legal expert

You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor

You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline

In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Saturday  (UAE kick-off times)

Leganes v Getafe (12am)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Levante v Alaves (4pm)

Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)

Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)

Sunday

Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)

Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)

Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)

Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)

Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)

Monday

Barcelona v Granada (12am)

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Company name: Play:Date

Launched: March 2017 on UAE Mother’s Day

Founder: Shamim Kassibawi

Based: Dubai with operations in the UAE and US

Sector: Tech 

Size: 20 employees

Stage of funding: Seed

Investors: Three founders (two silent co-founders) and one venture capital fund

The%20Kitchen
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The Bio

Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.

Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.

Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.

Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.