Foxconn, iPhone Manufacturer, Sends SOS for Production Resumption Advice to 'SARS Heroes'

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] Taiwanese Foxconn, the Apple iPhone assembler, has sought help from Zhong Nanshan, a top infectious disease authority in China known as the 'SARS hero,' to resume factory operations.

On the 26th, Foxconn announced on its official WeChat account that "Academician Zhong Nanshan and his team will provide free consulting and guidance for COVID-19 prevention and safe production resumption."

Foxconn operates 30 industrial complexes across mainland China and employs about one million workers. With the recent partial reopening of factories, the company is highly vigilant in preventing COVID-19 infections among employees. Foxconn is currently enforcing mask-wearing for all employees, temperature checks upon entry, vehicle disinfection, and designated seating during meals to curb the spread of COVID-19.

However, while Foxconn publicly stated that Academician Zhong has been invited as an advisor to provide guidance on COVID-19 prevention, Academician Zhong's position on this matter has not been disclosed.

Academician Zhong played a pivotal role during the 2002-2003 SARS outbreak and is one of China's most renowned respiratory disease experts. As concerns over COVID-19 spread have grown in China recently, he has frequently appeared in state media, serving as an advisor. In a recent interview with Chinese media, he stated that the maximum incubation period for COVID-19 is 24 days and predicted that the spread would peak in mid to late February before easing due to government lockdown measures. He also assessed that the likelihood of COVID-19 becoming a long-term endemic disease like seasonal influenza is low.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.