O2 to shut all stores from tonight due to growing coronavirus outbreak

O2 is the first operator to confirm temporarily close stores

O2 has confirmed that all stores will be closed as of 5 pm tonight (March 23), as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across the country.

The operator cited the health of employees for the decision, however, has confirmed that call centres will still be operational.

A O2 spokesperson said: “We have taken the decision to close our high street stores, effective at the end of business this evening, in order to protect our colleagues and customers.

“Our people are the core of our business and their hard work to keep customers connected to their loved ones has been invaluable in this uncertain time – we want to keep them safe and thank them for their incredible dedication.

“Our website remains open and if customers have any queries they can visit MyO2 or contact us directly. We will continue to monitor the situation in the UK before taking any decision to reopen our stores.”

There are 350,000 confirmed cases of the virus worldwide, with current UK numbers standing at 5,837 cases and 335 deaths so far.