Bloomberg reports that Apple manufacturer Foxconn has told employees at its Shenzhen facility not to return to work when the extended Lunar New Year break ends Feb. 10 due to the Coronavirus.
The death toll and the number of infections continued to climb in China, according to official data released early Friday. Nationwide, more than 70 new deaths and 3,100 new cases emerged in the previous 24 hours, the national health authorities said Friday morning.
“To safeguard everyone’s health and safety and comply with government virus prevention measures, we urge you not to return to Shenzhen,” Foxconn wrote in a text message sent to employees obtained by Bloomberg. “We’ll update you on the situation in the city. The company will protect everyone’s work-related rights and interests in the duration. As for the happy reunion date in Shenzhen, please wait for further notice.
It’s unclear whether the Shenzhen policy extends to all employees or to Foxconn’s other facilities. Hon Hai, which makes the vast majority of the world’s iPhones from the central Chinese city of Zhengzhou in Henan province, officially resumes production on Feb. 10. But the company has said in a statement that workers returning to Zhengzhou from outside the province will be sequestered for 14 days, Bloomberg reports.
What’s more, Senior Vice President for Retail and People Deirdre O’Brien has written to Apple Store staff in China to say that the company is still working with health officials as to when it would be safe to reopen its own facilities. Currently, 42 retail stores and Apple China’s corporate offices are closed.
