Bad news from China for Apple and for all the users waiting for the arrival of the future iPhone 14. And this isn’t actually the first time. As we told you in mid-March, Apple’s production in China has had to face temporary company closures as a coronavirus safeguard, although the leaks, which allegedly come from the supply chain, would eventually manage to avoid these risks.

However, according to the South China Morning Post, the pandemic again seems to complicate manufacturing operations. And the point is that the production of the iPhone 14 could be jeopardized by the closure of the perimeter and the imprisonment of the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, with a population of 12 million, which stands out because it has a Foxconn plant responsible for producing much of the iPhone. that they will come on the market.

At the moment, the closure of the city will be for a week, but in other recent closures we have seen in the Asian giant, gradual extensions of this security measure led to periods of one month or more, the period during which part of the insignificant professional activities is suspended, in addition to the restriction of everything that may enter and leave the affected area. Something that, as you probably already thought, could have a very profound impact on the supply chain necessary for the assembly of the future iPhone 14s.

It is therefore crucial for Apple and Foxconn now that the authorities’ response to the increase in reported cases of coronavirus proves to be effective, so that Zhengzhou can return to normal as soon as possible. Otherwise, if this situation continues over time, it is possible that Apple will be forced again, as has already happened in 2020, delay both the presentation and the launch of the iPhone of the yearon that occasion iPhone 12.

Just yesterday, before Zhengzhou’s imprisonment was announced, Foxconn began the process of hiring new workers to increase the factory’s production, possibly because of the risk that something like this would end. However, they do not appear to have arrived in time to apply the patch before the wound, and therefore certainly today, in Cupertino will closely monitor the epidemiological situation in Zhengzhouto the account that brings them.