Apple Inc. on Thursday told employees that its retail stores in the U.S. will remain closed and that work-from-home procedures will stay in place until early May due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a memo to employees, Apple's Senior Vice President of Retail and People Deirdre O’Brien told staff the company anticipates that "flexible work arrangements will remain in place for all offices, and all retail stores will remain closed, until early May.”

She said that Apple was "continuing to monitor local conditions for every Apple facility on a daily basis” and that the company would make "reopening decisions on the basis of thorough, thoughtful reviews and the latest guidance from local governments and public health experts.”