How Novel Coronavirus May Impact Your Next iPhone

The impact of the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) became real for future iPhone users worldwide this week via Foxconn. The company Foxconn is one of the primary manufacturing groups with which Apple works to create the iPhone. A report today suggests that Foxconn may have a "big" production impact here at the start of 2020. It was implicated that any halt beyond the delays in mainland China caused by Coronavirus – specifically the stoppage of businesses to assist in containing the virus from further spread.

Shanghai government ordered the temporary closure of government and private companies on the 27th of January, 2019. When this article is set for release on SlashGear, it'll have been one week since that Shanghai government order. The Shanghai government order halts commercial establishments, government bureaus, and offices, until February 9. Zhejiang province and Guangdong province also announced government and business closure until February 9th.

Chongqing, Yunnan, and Jiangsu suggested that "non-essential enterprises" must remain closed until February 9. Hubei Province announced enterprises must remain closed until February 13, 2020.

SEE TOO: Coronavirus symptoms, 2019-nCoV virus in China, case map, CDC help

NOTE: The suggestion from the source speaking with Rueters suggested that "an extension of the stoppage could disrupt shipments to clients including apple." That means an extension beyond the at-least-until-February 9th official shutdown.

Apple also announced this weekend that they are closing mainland China offices and stores until at least February 9th. "Out of an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts, we're closing all our corporate offices, stores and contact centers in mainland China through February 9."

Last week, Foxconn released a statement via Rueters on the near-future of manufacturing re: virus outbreak. "We do not comment on our specific production practices," said a Foxconn representative. "But we can confirm that we have measures in place to ensure that we can continue to meet all global manufacturing obligations."

During a conference call on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, Apple CEO Tim Cook addressed concern that this novel coronavirus could impact Apple's manufacturing partners and the creation of new devices in the weeks and months ahead. "The situation is emerging, and we're still gathering lots of data points and monitoring it very closely," said Cook. "We have alternate sourcing and contingency plans. Factories outside Wuhan are less clear. We are trying to factor in factory re-opening delays into our guidance."