Late yesterday Apple told employees that its retail stores in the U.S. will remain closed and work-from-home procedures will stay in place until early May due to the COVID-19 pandemic. O’Brien previously told staff that some stores outside of the U.S. could open as early as the first half of April.

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

O'Brien continued by noting that Apple is "continuing to monitor local conditions for every Apple facility on a daily basis" and that the company will make "reopening decisions on the basis of thorough, thoughtful reviews and the latest guidance from local governments and public health experts."

The company is "working on options to make sure parents have the support and the flexibility to adjust their schedules as needed," and that Apple is aware "many parents are balancing homeschooling with working" and is encouraging employees to be open with management about their challenges. For more read the full Bloomberg report that's on their technology homepage today.