Coronavirus: China locks down massive area around world’s largest iPhone factory
- Authorities call situation ‘severe and complicated’ after Covid infections spike in Foxconn plant industrial zone
- Local government warns it will ‘resolutely crack down on all kinds of violations’ after workers fled the plant following a Covid outbreak
Chinese authorities on Wednesday imposed a seven-day lockdown in an area surrounding the world’s largest iPhone factory in the central province of Henan.
The move came after workers from Foxconn Technology Group had fled the company’s main plant located in the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone following restrictions that were implemented due to a coronavirus outbreak.
Authorities said the district lockdown will last until noon on November 9, according to a statement posted on an official account. Extensions of such lockdowns in China are common.
“The current pandemic situation is severe and complicated,” the statement said, adding the lockdown was intended “to protect the lives and health of the people, reduce the flow of people, and quickly and effectively contain the spread of the pandemic”.
Private businesses have been closed, gatherings are suspended and only essential traffic is being allowed. Government employees were told to work from home or volunteer help for local mass testing or other community needs.
01:29
Thousands stuck inside Shanghai Disney Resort after snap Covid lockdown