The PS5 is set to launch just one week from today, and prior to its release, Sony made a rather shocking announcement today about how it intends to sell the console.

Disclosed over on the PlayStation Blog, it was revealed that the PS5 will not be available for purchase in-store on launch day in any region around the globe. Instead, the only way in which you'll be able to acquire the PlayStation 5 on day one is if you have been able to snag one already via a pre-order or if you are able to cop one in a restock that could come about online. PlayStation says that it made this decision "in the interest of keeping our gamers, retailers, and staff safe amidst COVID-19".

It's worth noting that if you do already have the PS5 pre-ordered and you're planning to go pick it up in-store somewhere, you'll be able to do that. This situation is more of a sticking point for those who may have been looking to camp out in front of their own local retail store with plans to run inside and buy a PS5 off of the shelf at release. "Be safe, stay home, and place your order online," Sony's Sid Shuman said in the blog post.

It's definitely surprising to see Sony make this announcement so close to launch, but it's also not really one that you can fault them for. Given the fact that cases of the COVID-19 virus seem to be increasing in many regions around the globe, this is probably a smart call. The only downside is that everyone will once again be at the mercy of online orders, and given how that went the first time around, I'm sure those who still don't have an order locked-in are dreading that potential experience all over again.

Stay tuned for coverage from us here at DualShockers as we near the arrival of the PS5 next week.