New Delhi: Apple iPhone maker Foxconn has stopped operations and manufacturing in China's Shenzhen city after authorities clamped lockdown measures in the wake of the rising COVID-19 cases which means all non-essential businesses in the city need to shut till March 20. The Taiwanese contract manufacturer of iPhones has halted operations in two of its manufacturing units, the media has reported.
Foxconn, however, has not mentioned the duration of the closure of both the manufacturing sites. The introduction of this indefinite lockdown is likely to postpone Mac Studio desktop shipments.
"The operation of Foxconn in Shenzhen, China has been suspended from March 14 onwards in compliance with the local government's new COVID-19 policy," Foxconn was quoted as saying in a statement by news agency AFP.
Taiwanese contract manufacturer Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., has its China headquarters in Shenzhen and also has a key manufacturing site in Guanlan and both the sites produce iPhones. Foxconn has told news agency Reuters it has “adjusted the production line” to factories elsewhere in China to minimise the impact on operations.
The Chinese authorities chose to clamp new lockdown measures after more than 3,000 cases of Coronavirus were reported in Shenzhen. This shutdown is likely to affect the production of many of the devices that the contract manufacturer makes for Apple and several other companies. All bus and subway systems have been shut, and businesses, except those providing essential services, have been closed. Shenzhen is home to the headquarters of giants Huawei Technologies Co., SZ DJI Technology Co. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. as well as one of China’s busiest ports, according to a rep