BEIJING (AP) 鈥 Apple Inc. is warning customers they'll have to wait longer to get its latest iPhone models after anti-virus restrictions were imposed on a contractor's factory in central China.
The company announcement Sunday gave no details but said the factory operated by Foxconn in the central city of Zhengzhou is 鈥渙perating at significantly reduced capacity.鈥
鈥淲e now expect lower iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max shipments than we previously anticipated,鈥 the company said. 鈥淐ustomers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.鈥
Foxconn Technology Group said earlier it imposed anti-virus measures on the factory in Zhengzhou following virus outbreaks. Apple and Foxconn previously hadn't responded to questions about how iPhone production might be affected.
Last week, where the factory is located was suspended for one week following a surge in infections in Zhengzhou and the departure of workers from the factory.
The lockdown is expected to cause further disruptions to the plant, which in recent weeks has seen a spate of coronavirus infections and an exodus of workers, some of whom fled the factory on foot.
Foxconn said in a statement that it is revising its outlook for this quarter downward due to the lockdown.
鈥淔oxconn is now working with the government in a concerted effort to stamp out the pandemic and resume production to its full capacity as quickly as possible,鈥 the company said Monday.
It also said that the provincial government has said it will 鈥渇ully support鈥 Foxconn in managing the plant's pandemic prevention and operation situation.
In a post on the Zhengzhou plant's WeChat social media account Sunday, the company said a 鈥渃losed loop鈥 system would restrict its employees鈥 travel between their dormitories and the factory area to manage risks of COVID-19 transmission.
The last quarter of the year is typically a busy season for companies like Foxconn as they ramp up production ahead of the end of year holiday rush.
鈥淲e are working closely with our supplier to return to normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of every worker,鈥 Apple said.
