Foxconn steps up COVID-19 precautions as iPhone production restarts

As Apple partner Foxconn restarts iPhone production in China, a report on Wednesday takes an in-depth look at the protocols the contract manufacturer has in place to prevent a resurgence of COVID-19.

Foxconn is taking unprecedented steps to ensure its employees stay healthy and coronavirus-free as the important iPhone launch season approaches, according to a Washington Post report picked up by Business Insider.

At the firm's Zhengzhou plant, responsible for a large portion of iPhone production, employees are broken off into groups of 20 in an attempt to minimize potential exposure to and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. These worker clusters must eat, sleep, work and travel together, the city's government said in a notice.

Public areas are being closely monitored, with one employee saying Foxconn has installed dividers at cafeteria tables to prevent worker contact. The company is reportedly using QR codes placed on cafeteria seats, which workers must scan, to track employee movement.

Beyond working groups, Foxconn is taking employee temperatures daily and is utilizing infrared cameras to track body temperatures in real time. High temperatures are an early sign of infection.

To prevent transmission of the virus, the company is producing some 2 million surgical masks each day for internal use.

In a statement to The Post, Foxconn said it is following "all recommended health and hygiene practices ... including the use of nucleic acid tests and chest X-rays when required."

In January, Foxconn said the then-burgeoning coronavirus would not impact production in China. Those early predictions shifted dramatically as the situation worsened. Roughly a month later Foxconn closed its plant in Shenzhen and shuttered the Zhengzhou facility, putting a crimp in global iPhone 11 supply.

Production is now ramping up as factories take on new staff, and mass production of an expected "iPhone 12" series is reportedly on schedule for a fall release. Foxconn itself supposedly confirmed the timeline to investors in early April, assuaging fears of a delayed launch.

7 Comments

seanismorris 8 Years · 1624 comments

About 4 years ago

I wonder if any Foxconn masks are ending up in Apples hands which are then donated.

seanismorris 8 Years · 1624 comments

About 4 years ago

TheLoneStar said:

Who believes this Chinese Communist bullshit? Foxconn, Apple, MacOS (frankly related to apple) is just another Chinese Communist stooge!

Hello Mr. OnePost,

The Chinese leadership is certainly trying to control the narrative, but so is the USA. It’s difficult to say what data is accurate (from China) because China lacks freedom of press. That said, China was ground zero for this coronavirus and they still managed to be better prepared.

We knew something like this could (would) happen and yet our first responders are lacking in everything. Scrambling for ventilators is one thing, but lacking masks and gloves reeks of incompetence. The federal government is responsible for preparing for disasters (like this one). They are the ones managing the national stockpiles.

Instead of owning up to the mistakes they’re attempting to pass the buck.
It’s the Chinese’s fault. It’s the States responsibility. It’s the Press and theIr flu hoax. It’s the WHO.

Who’s fault is it? Everyone in Washington just needs to look in the mirror.

Infections and deaths are inevitable when something like this happens. But, looking at other countries responses it’s obvious that our response lacked leadership, and it’s resulting in excessive infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.

As for Apple, they’ve stepped up more than any other company (not in the medical field) that I’m aware of. If making products in China makes them a Chinese stooge, then does buying stuff (made in China) mean you are one also? I’m not sure anything I own doesn’t have a part or component not made in China. The wire or metal in my house, in my car, in my frig., washing machine. The battery in my tooth brush, car, phone, iPad, laptop, fire alarm. Never mind, the list is never ending.

It’s amusing to imagine you in your bunker. The stamp of “Made in China” on the side must be driving you nuts. Did you make your post from an iPhone?

Anilu_777 8 Years · 579 comments

About 4 years ago

seanismorris said:

I wonder if any Foxconn masks are ending up in Apples hands which are then donated.

It’s quite possible that apart from their internal supply, Foxconn is making masks at Apple’s request. It would be good relations between the two.

fastasleep 14 Years · 6451 comments

About 4 years ago

TheLoneStar said:

Who believes this Chinese Communist bullshit? Foxconn, Apple, MacOS (frankly related to apple) is just another Chinese Communist stooge!

macOS is made in California, genius.

Gilliam_Bates 9 Years · 198 comments

About 4 years ago

seanismorris said:

TheLoneStar said:

Who believes this Chinese Communist bullshit? Foxconn, Apple, MacOS (frankly related to apple) is just another Chinese Communist stooge!

Hello Mr. OnePost,

The Chinese leadership is certainly trying to control the narrative, but so is the USA. It’s difficult to say what data is accurate (from China) because China lacks freedom of press. That said, China was ground zero for this coronavirus and they still managed to be better prepared.

We knew something like this could (would) happen and yet our first responders are lacking in everything. Scrambling for ventilators is one thing, but lacking masks and gloves reeks of incompetence. The federal government is responsible for preparing for disasters (like this one). They are the ones managing the national stockpiles.
Instead of owning up to the mistakes they’re attempting to pass the buck.
It’s the Chinese’s fault. It’s the States responsibility. It’s the Press and theIr flu hoax. It’s the WHO.

Who’s fault is it? Everyone in Washington just needs to look in the mirror.

Infections and deaths are inevitable when something like this happens. But, looking at other countries responses it’s obvious that our response lacked leadership, and it’s resulting in excessive infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.

As for Apple, they’ve stepped up more than any other company (not in the medical field) that I’m aware of. If making products in China makes them a Chinese stooge, then does buying stuff (made in China) mean you are one also? I’m not sure anything I own doesn’t have a part or component not made in China. The wire or metal in my house, in my car, in my frig., washing machine. The battery in my tooth brush, car, phone, iPad, laptop, fire alarm. Never mind, the list is never ending.

It’s amusing to imagine you in your bunker. The stamp of “Made in China” on the side must be driving you nuts. Did you make your post from an iPhone?

Agree with a lot of what you’re saying …still the Chinese are playing us in the free democratic world. And make no mistake here, their dictatorship is winning financially for a world dominance …big time. We are just sitting ducks ‘cause we are paralyzed. Quack!