Samsung Galaxy Z Flip factory closes due to coronavirus infection
A factory that produces the Galaxy Z Flip was reportedly shut down after an employee of the wireless division that’s in charge of smartphone production tested positive for the pneumonia-like illness.
Patrick Holland/CNET
The spread of the coronavirus is taking a toll on the global technology industry, with companies shuttering stores and offices, limiting travel, and bracing for disruptions to an integrated worldwide supply chain. The disease is starting to have an impact on Samsung’s latest smartphone.
Just weeks after unveiling the Galaxy Z Flip, the Korean electronics giant shuttered a factory over the weekend in South Korea that produces that clamshell-like smartphone. The plant in the city Gumi, South Korea, was shut down after an employee of the wireless division that’s in charge of smartphone production tested positive for the pneumonia-like illness.
Samsung said an employee tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday. The factory is expected to reopen Monday, and the shutdown’s impact is expected to be minimal.
“The health and safety of our employees are our highest priority,” Samsung said. “The company plans to implement all necessary measures for disinfection and containment promptly.”
The novel coronavirus, now called SARS-CoV-2, originated in Wuhan, China, and has so far killed more than 2,000 people and infected over 75,000. Cases have been confirmed in the US, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.
Coronavirus fears led Facebook to call off a March marketing summit in San Francisco that was expected to draw 4,000 people. In Barcelona, the Mobile World Conference scheduled for earlier in February was also canceled.
Samsung isn’t the only smartphone maker that may be affected by the illness. Apple said earlier this month that it likely will miss the quarterly revenue guidance it gave last month, citing two reasons for the update: The coronavirus is hurting both demand from Chinese customers and production capabilities inside China.
Sammobile earlier reported the news of the closure.
CNET’s Shara Tibken contributed to this report.
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Originally published at 10:36 a.m. PT
Update, 9:48 p.m. PT, Adds Samsung comment.
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