Following a surge in infections in Zhengzhou and the departure of workers from the factory, access to the industrial zone where the factory is located was suspended for one week last week.
BEIJING – Apple Inc. is warning customers that they will have to wait longer for the latest iPhone models due to anti-virus restrictions imposed on a contractor’s factory in central China.
The company announced on Sunday provided no details, but stated that Foxconn’s factory in the central city of Zhengzhou is “operating at significantly reduced capacity.”
“We now expect lower shipments of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max than we previously anticipated,” the company said. “Customers will have to wait longer to receive their new products.”
Following virus outbreaks, Foxconn Technology Group imposed anti-virus measures on its Zhengzhou factory. Apple and Foxconn had previously declined to comment on how iPhone production might be affected.
Following a surge in infections in Zhengzhou and the departure of workers from the factory, access to the industrial zone where the factory is located was suspended for one week last week.
The lockdown is expected to cause additional disruptions at the plant, which has recently seen a spike in coronavirus infections and an exodus of workers, some of whom fled on foot.
Foxconn said in a statement that the lockdown has reduced its outlook for this quarter.
“Foxconn is now collaborating with the government in a concerted effort to eradicate the pandemic and resume full production as soon as possible,” the company said on Monday.
The provincial government has also stated that it will “fully support” Foxconn in managing the plant’s pandemic prevention and operation situation.
In a post on the Zhengzhou plant’s WeChat social media account on Sunday, the company stated that a “closed loop” system would limit its employees’ travel between their dormitories and the factory area to reduce the risk of covid-19 transmission.
Companies like Foxconn typically have a busy fourth quarter as they ramp up production in preparation for the end-of-year holiday rush.
“We are working closely with our supplier to resume normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of all employees,” Apple stated.
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