"China factories set up ‘bubbles’ to ride out Covid lockdowns" 25 March 2022

Manufacturers across China are preparing their factories to operate as highly isolated “bubbles” that can continue to run for weeks even during tough government-ordered coronavirus lockdowns. [...]

Bosch Unipoint, one of the world’s biggest car part manufacturers, was able to maintain production at its factory in Longgang District in Shenzhen because about 200 workers agreed to live at dormitories on site during a week-long lockdown this month. “Their commitment to help the business survive this week was amazing,” said Marco Morea, Bosch Unipoint general manager in China, adding that the plant had co-operated with its most critical suppliers to put in place stocks of essential materials before the lockdown began. [...]

A general manager at another Guangdong-based manufacturing company said it was now making sure its factories elsewhere in China had enough accommodation so workers did not need to leave the site in the event of a lockdown. It was also stocking up on raw materials and supplies. [...]

Workers from many places across China have in recent weeks shared photos and videos on social media of their experience living on-site at factories during local Covid-19 lockdowns. [...]