Production of iPhones in China's Tech Center Stops Drastically Due to COVID-19 Surge
Foxconn, a major Apple supplier and iPhone manufacturer, has temporarily halted operations at their Shenzhen campuses due to soaring COVID-19 cases in China. This decision comes after Beijing ordered non-essential businesses to halt operations until March 20, following an effective lockdown in the city of 17.5 million residents.
According to a Foxconn spokesperson, the factory will remain shut down from March 14 onwards, as per local government COVID-19 policy. However, the resumption date is yet to be determined. The spokesperson also mentioned that Foxconn has adjusted its production lines to minimize the impact and required all employees to undergo COVID-19 PCR tests, in addition to existing safety measures.
China reported a staggering 1,437 new COVID-19 cases on March 14, a significant increase from just a few weeks ago. Shenzhen alone reported 75 new cases on the same day and 60 new cases the previous day. China, which managed to keep cases relatively low for the past two years, is currently grappling with the latest omicron wave.
This high number of cases has led to draconian lockdowns and mass testing in various Chinese cities, including Shanghai, which was previously under a limited lockdown. The lockdown in Shanghai, announced on April 5, 2023, and affecting 26 million residents, significantly impacted global shipping and container vessel congestion.
It's worth noting that while Foxconn isn't the only tech company facing production halts in Shenzhen, the largest iPhone production facility is located in the city of Zhengzhou, which currently isn't in lockdown and has reported minimal COVID-19 cases since mid-January.
This situation, while challenging for tech companies, highlights China's commitment to controlling the spread of COVID-19, even if it means temporary halts in production for some of its largest tech giants.
- Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, Shenzhen, where Foxconn has its major operational campuses, reported 75 new cases on March 14.
- In light of the rising coronavirus cases, tech giant Foxconn, a significant Apple supplier, chose to suspend its operations at Shenzhen until a resumption date is decided.
- Amidst the pandemic, China, known for maintaining relatively low COVID-19 figures for two years, is now confronting a challenging omicron wave.
- With Foxconn temporarily halting operations and other tech companies facing production disruptions in Shenzhen, the future of tech manufacturing in the city remains uncertain.
