Foxconn and other manufacturers are suspending their Chinese technology center in Shenzhen after authorities announced a partial lockdown due to rising COVID-19 cases. Businesses providing non-essential services have been ordered to close and everyone in the city of 17 million will be tested for COVID-19 after 60 new infections were reported on Sunday.
Foxconn is the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer and a key supplier to companies such as Apple and Samsung. Many Chinese tech giants such as Huawei, Tencent and Oppo are headquartered in Shenzhen, close to the border with Hong Kong. Foxconn says it is halting production at its Longhua and Guanlan plants until further notice, Nikkei reports; The Shenzhen base is the second largest Foxconn base in the country.
China continues to take a strict approach to limiting the spread of COVID-19. In total, 4,636 deaths and 115,466 confirmed cases have been recorded since the start of the pandemic. Shanghai, the country’s most populous city and home to major chipmaker SMIC, is also introducing new restrictions from today; buses to other provinces will be suspended and anyone attempting to leave or enter the city will need a negative PCR test. Shanghai reported 64 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday.