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    Nike Closing Stores in USA Until March 27 Amid Coronavirus, Workers Will Be Paid

    Megan ArmstrongSenior Analyst IMarch 15, 2020

    A Nike logo is displayed outside a Nike store in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2018. Colin Kaepernick has a new deal with Nike, even without having a job in the NFL. Kaepernick's attorney, Mark Geragos, made the announcement on Twitter, calling the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback an
    Chuck Burton/Associated Press

    Nike has announced that all stores in the United States will close in an effort to contain the coronavirus, according to CNBC's Lauren Thomas on Sunday morning.

    An anonymous spokeswoman confirmed to Thomas that "workers will still be paid in full during this time off."

    Thomas provided the full statement from Nike:

    "The well-being of our teammates and consumers is our top priority so we have decided to close our stores in multiple countries around the world including in the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). These closures will go into effect from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. Customers can continue to shop on Nike.com and on our Nike apps. 

    "We are taking additional steps in other Nike-managed facilities, including the option to work from home, staggered work schedules, social distancing and additional safety and cleaning steps to help protect and support our teammates.

    "Our Nike-owned stores in South Korea, Japan, most of China and in many other countries are currently open and will continue their normal operations."

    Nike's move to temporarily shut down comes after Apple CEO Tim Cook announced Saturday that all stores outside the Greater China area will be closed until March 27:

    Tim Cook @tim_cook

    In our workplaces and communities, we must do all we can to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Apple will be temporarily closing all stores outside of Greater China until March 27 and committing $15M to help with worldwide recovery. https://t.co/ArdMA43cFJ

    The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame will also be closed to the public. Cooperstown announced its decision on Saturday, and the new guidelines will be enforced beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday with further information forthcoming on March 22.

    Nike Closing Stores in USA Until March 27 Amid Coronavirus, Workers Will Be Paid
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    ESPN's Adam Schefter broke news regarding the Pro Football Hall of Fame:

    Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

    Pro Football Hall of Fame will be closed to the public effective March 16 - March 27. “The health and safety of the HOF’s visitors, as well as staff and volunteers, is our top priority,” the Hall said.

    Elsewhere, the Wynn Las Vegas confirmed to ESPN's David Purdum on Friday that its sportsbook and poker room "will close for an undetermined amount of time beginning Sunday." The venue became the first Nevada casino to temporarily cease operations.

    The NBA, NHL and MLS each suspended its season while MLB suspended spring training and delayed Opening Day at least two weeks. The NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments were also cancelled.

    CNN's latest numbers show 152,428 confirmed coronavirus infections worldwide. The United States' 1,678 cases are the eighth most of any affected country. There have been 5,720 deaths worldwide.