Samsung Electronics Co. and LG Electronics Inc. have said that they will temporarily shut down their respective manufacturing plants in India due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The decision comes a day after the Indian government issued a guidance to lockdown several cities in the country to contain the spread of COVID-19.
According to Korean news agency Yonhap, LG said that its in Noida and Pune -- both the cities under lockdown -- will be closed until end-March. Both these plants mainly produce washing machines, and the Pune plant also makes LG smartphones. Samsung will close its smartphone plant in Noida and will suspend operations until Wednesday.
Samsung also decided to temporary close its TV manufacturing factory in Slovakia this week. The South Korean giant had also temporarily shut down its factories in South Korea and China earlier this month. In fact, the company closed its stores in the US and Canada last week. These stores are closed for an indeterminate time, but the company’s online store, and support sites are still functioning.
Apple had also shut its manufacturing in China, and has closed all its stores outside mainland China till March 27. It was also reported that Google is planning to shift the manufacturing of its rumoured affordable offering, the Pixel 4a, from China to countries like Vietnam and Thailand. Reportedly, the company will begin the production in April.
