Apple stores set to reopen

The tech giant’s retail outlets had been closed in Australia for nearly two months.

The new iPhone SE. Supplied.

Apple will reopen almost all of its local stores this week, with the tech giant choosing Australia as one of just four countries to let its customers shop for iPhones and iPads again.

The store openings come with a catch however, with Apple declaring that customers will have their temperatures checked at the door amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. New trading hours will also apply, with the stores open 10am to 5pm.

Apple said in a statement that 21 of its Australian stores would re-open on Thursday, with Sydney's flagship George Street store to remain closed due to renovations.

Apple has also reopened its outlets in China, Austria and South Korea.

“We’re excited to begin welcoming visitors back to our Australia stores later this week. We’ve missed our customers and look forward to offering our support,” the company said in a statement.

“With many Australians working and learning from home, our initial focus will be providing service and support at the Genius Bar.

"To start, we will open with additional safety procedures including temperature checks, social distancing and an adjusted schedule, to ensure customers and employees continue to stay healthy. Our social distance protocol means a limited number of visitors in the store at one time so there may be a delay for walk-in customers.

"We recommend, where possible, customers buy online for delivery or in-store pick up.”

Customers should be able to make appointments via Apple's Genius Bar system from today.

In February Apple was the first major US company to say it won’t meet its revenue projections for the current quarter due to the coronavirus outbreak, which it said had limited iPhone production for worldwide sales and curtailed demand for its products in China.

Apple's latest iPhone, the iPhone SE, recently went on sale with The Australian's reviewer Chris Griffith declaring the device warrants serious consideration.