Apple has dropped mask mandates in most of its retail stores across the United States, after reintroducing the requirement in December 2021 in an attempt to counter rising COVID-19 infections. Some of the states in which Apple customers will no longer be required to wear a mask include Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, and Georgia.
Employees, however, will still be required to wear a mask while working, according to a report by Bloomberg. The Cupertino company will also still recommend that customers wear one.
Right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends wearing a mask in indoor spaces to protect yourself and others. However, as guidance from the states and the CDC has been mixed, many businesses have been left to make their own decisions on mask wearing, mirroring the situation in the unsettled earlier stages of the coronavirus pandemic.
This news comes as we expect Apple to also relaunch its popular in-person Today at Apple tutorial classes, in select locations as early as next week. Other sites intend to see a return of live sessions in March.