Samsung has closed down its Gumi, South Korea, factory for the second time after another employee got infected with the dreaded Coronavirus. The smartphone manufacturer closed down the factory early last week over a period of two days for thorough disinfection after a confirmed case of coronavirus with a worker. With another confirmed case at the factory, the South Korean company is closing down again from March 1-3.
Samsung said there have been three confirmed coronavirus infections at the facility. This is the facility where flagship smartphones such as the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Fold are manufactured. Production of smartphones will remain suspended at the factory pending general disinfection. The assembly line where the infected workers were stationed will remain closed until it is declared safe for work again.
The third case occurred at a Giheung semiconductor factory with a cafeteria partner. The entire cafeteria was closed down. Samsung disclosed they will donate $24.6 million to help the government contain the spread of the disease. The company also said the temporary shutdowns will not affect supplies for Galaxy Z Flip and other premium phones.
LG Display has also suspended activities at a smartphone screen factory in Gumi, South Korea after a worker came down with coronavirus. The factory will reopen on March 3 or beyond depending on disinfection work at the site. LG Display manufactures smartphone screens for several smartphone companies, including some of Apple’s iPhones.
There are fears that the temporary shutdown might cause shortages in some of LG’s smartphones and that of other manufacturers. In fact, Apple warned that there might be shortages of certain phones in the market until the coronavirus wind blows over with several partners. Microsoft has also indicated that its supplies might fall low due to the fear of the disease across several partner fronts.
Sources:
https://www.sammobile.com/news/samsung-shuts-down-factory-again-another-coronavirus-case
https://www.engadget.com/2020/02/29/lg-display-shuts-factory-over-coronavirus/