Apple takes measures to stop coronavirus spread

Apple is scaling back Apple Watch try-ons at some of its retail stores to combat the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, Report informs, referring to Business Insider.

Apple Store employees are being instructed not to encourage customers to try on products like the Apple Watch and AirPods and only to allow customers to do so upon request, according to sources familiar with the matter.

It is part of the broader measures Apple is taking to protect its staff and customers amidst the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, which has killed 31 people in the United States and infected more than 1,150 as of Wednesday. The company has also reduced the number of stools and chairs in stores to promote distance between people.

Other cautionary measures Apple has taken in recent weeks include boosting cleaning staff and installing hand sanitizer stations in stores. Hourly employees, including retail staff, are also allowed to take sick leave without having it count toward their usual allotment, as 9to5Mac first reported on Monday.

Apple has always promoted the Apple Watch as being its "most personal device ever," and has allowed customers to try on the product ever since the first model launched back in 2015. Last year, Apple launched a new program for further personalizing its smartwatch called Apple Watch Studio, which lets customers pair a specific band with a casing of their choosing rather than buying a predetermined one and casing combination.

Apple is not eliminating the watch try-on process, the people said. Instead, it has just stopped actively promoting it in some stores for the time being. It's also unclear if all Apple Stores have implemented this policy or only specific locations.

An Apple spokesperson confirmed that the company was taking steps to limit crowding in its stores, but declined to comment on whether scaling back try-ons was part of that process.