ThePipaNews 
Apple Inc. is warning customers they will have to wait longer to get their latest iPhone models after antivirus restrictions were imposed at a contractor’s factory in central China.
The company’s announcement on Sunday gave no details but said the factory operated by Foxconn in central Zhengzhou is “operating at significantly reduced capacity.”
“We now expect lower shipments of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max than we previously anticipated,” the company said. “Customers will experience longer wait times to receive their new products.”
Foxconn Technology Group previously said it introduced anti-virus measures at its Zhengzhou factory following the virus outbreak. Apple and Foxconn had previously not responded to questions about how iPhone production might be affected.
Last week, access to the industrial zone where the factory is located was blocked for a week following an increase in infections in Zhengzhou and the departure of workers from the factory.
The shutdown is expected to cause further disruption at the facility, 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.
“Foxconn is now working with the government in a concerted effort to eradicate the pandemic and resume production at full capacity as quickly as possible,” the company said on Monday.
It also said the provincial government has said it will “fully support” Foxconn in managing the facility’s pandemic prevention and operation situation.
In a post on the Zhengzhou factory’s WeChat social media account on Sunday, the company said a “closed loop” system would limit its employees’ travel between their dormitories and the factory grounds to manage the risks of covid-19 transmission.
The last quarter of the year is usually a busy season for companies like Foxconn as they ramp up production for the end of the year.
“We are working closely with our supplier to return to normal production levels while ensuring the health and safety of every worker,” Apple said.
