Less than a week after announcing it was reopening its Macau stores, DFS has told TRBusiness that its T Fondaco dei Tedeschi store in Venice will operate on reduced business hours (10am – 7pm) from 2 March, in response to the escalating Covid-19 outbreak.

 

However, a DFS spokesperson maintains that there have been no cases of the virus reported at any of its stores.

 

“To date, there have been no cases of the coronavirus in any of our store locations and we will continue to take all necessary precautions to ensure our stores remain hygienic and safe environments for all.”

 

There have now been 11 deaths and more than 300 cases of Covid-19 reported in Italy. Austria, Croatia, Switzerland, Algeria and Brazil have now also reported their first cases.

 

“We maintain close contact with the Veneto Region to ensure we are aligned with any emergency plans that may be necessary,” said a DFS spokesperson.

 

MAINTAINING HONG KONG STORE CLOSURES

In addition the DFS spokesperson revealed that DFS has decided to maintain its temporary closure at two of its stores in Hong Kong, ‘out of an abundance of caution’.

 

“In our ongoing efforts to protect our customers and staff against Covid-19, we have decided to maintain the temporary closure of T Galleria by DFS, Tsim sha Tsui East and T Galleria Beauty by DFS Moko in Hong Kong until March 16.

 

“We will continue to assess the situation and react accordingly.”

 

DFS said this is ‘purely a preventative step’ which will allow the company to focus its resources and efforts on a reduced store footprint, while balancing the need to continue to serve its customers.

 

“We look forward to serving customers at our T Galleria by DFS, Canton Road or T Galleria Beauty by DFS, Causeway Bay stores, which remain open as usual, or through our Click and Collect service on dfs.com.

 

“We apologise for any inconvenience to our loyal customers during the temporary closure of two of our stores. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and we look forward to reopening as soon as possible.”