Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Apple Inc. has temporarily closed its corporate offices and all five of its retail stores in the United Arab Emirates.
According to a report by MacRumors, the iPhone maker’s outlets will remain shut at least until Tuesday, March 3. Notices displayed at the stores state that they will be closed “until further notice.”
The temporary closure affects key Apple Store locations across the country, including outlets at Dubai Mall, near the Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates, as well as Yas Mall, Al Jimi Mall, and Al Maryah Island.
The move comes after the Emirati government advised private sector companies to limit employees’ presence in open areas where possible from Sunday, March 1, to Tuesday, March 3, citing heightened regional instability.
Apple has not yet issued a detailed public statement on the closures.
