This shows that the epidemic is causing negative impacts on the technology industry, specifically in the Chinese market – one of the most important markets.
Previously, China also closed many factories due to the spreading Coronavirus, including the Foxconn factory that has a contract with Apple to produce iPhones.
Besides Apple, other tech companies like Facebook and LG are also doing the same as Apple. Tim Cook mentioned that sales in the areas surrounding Wuhan, where the Coronavirus outbreak began, are low, and the situation in other parts of China is also severely affected by this epidemic.
Part of the reason is that the Chinese government has extended the Lunar New Year holiday, encouraging people to stay home to avoid infection, which means that factories will open later than usual. Additionally, Apple is providing medical equipment and supplies to employees in the Wuhan area, and regularly checking employees’ temperatures as well as thoroughly cleaning stores to prevent the spread of the disease.
Source: The Verge, Gearvn