14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just announced that it’s closing all Microsoft Store locations across the world due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The company will continue to sell its products through the online store, but the physical locations will remain closed until further notice.
This is a measure that Microsoft has taken specifically to prevent the virus from spreading and exposing its staff to the risk of infection, especially as the coronavirus outbreak keeps making more and more victims across the world.
“All Microsoft Store locations are currently closed until further notice due to COVID-19 health concerns. We know families, remote workers and businesses are under unique pressure at this time, and we are still here to serve you online at microsoft.com,” an announcement on Twitter reads.
Build also moving online
Microsoft earlier this month announced that the Build developer conference, its biggest yearly tech event, would move to an online version, again in an attempt to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Microsoft will thus stream the entire event online, a measure also embraced by other tech giants for their biggest conferences, including Google and Apple.
“The safety of our community is top priority. In light of global health concerns due to COVID-19 and related government actions in Washington State, we will deliver our annual Microsoft Build for developers as a digital experience, in lieu of an in-person event. Refunds will be issued to all registrants,” Microsoft announced.
The Build developer conference will take place May 19-21, but additional details about the new digital format will be shared at a later time as we get closer to the kickoff date.
For the time being, Microsoft’s online store remains the only way to shop for Microsoft products, but depending on the region you live in, software and hardware developed by the Redmond-based tech giant could also be available in the physical stores of a series of third-party retailers.