With the increase in the number of cases of COVID-19IBMTemporarily close the office in New York City.But the company did not postpone plans to reopen in other parts of the United States in September.

Employees were told on Wednesday that offices in New York City would be open only to essential employees, an IBM spokesman said in a statement. It also pointed out that the current epidemic situation "does not comply with the health and safety regulations of the IBM."

With the number of infections soaring across the United States, the ongoing Delta strain has prompted companies to reevaluate their plans to return to office. New York reported 5138 new cases on Thursday and said the number of patients hospitalized for the disease increased by 49 to 1937.

IBM's current policy requires masks to be worn in the office, regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not.

The Armonk, New York-based company asked employees to go back to the office in the week of Sept. 7 in June. This date still applies to areas other than New York, as long as local health and clinical conditions remain optimistic.