Shenzhen factories keep running at full capacity despite Covid-19 disruptions in test of China’s zero-tolerance approach
- Many factories in the southern tech hub have prepared to operate in a ‘closed loop’ that keeps workers on site if lockdowns return to the city
- The approach to industrial activity has helped the Chinese government maintain economic growth even as services and domestic consumption take a hit

Many factories in China’s technology hub of Shenzhen are managing to run at or near full capacity while adhering to China’s rigid “dynamic zero” Covid-19 policy, offering a glimpse at how the country’s vast manufacturing machine keeps humming under the world’s strictest quarantine regime.
Shenzhen’s lockdown forced the factory to suspend operations for five days, but it was just a blip in the factory’s production, according to Hu Jun, the company’s owner. Hu had applied to resume production under a “closed-loop” system that keeps workers on site in case the lockdown was extended, but it was lifted on the fifth day, before a government review of the factory’s preparedness was completed.
“We needed to follow the government’s order, but fortunately we were able to recover quite soon,” Hu said.

While the factory has posted signs reminding workers to wear masks, some ignore the recommendation. Hu said one reason enforcement has not been strict is because medical staff conduct nucleic acid testing for workers in the industrial park every two days.