(Yicai Global) Oct. 31 -- Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn, said it will assist workers at one of its plants in Zhengzhou, Henan province who decide to return to their hometowns following a flareup of the coronavirus in province.

Foxconn said yesterday that it respects the workers’ decision to leave and will lay on buses for them. For those staying, the company will offer incentive packages, meals, and bonuses, noting that whoever has to be quarantined in the factory will receive regular wages.

The announcement comes two days after some employees left the factory heading home on foot, Yicai Global learned from multiple sources.

“We fully understand your desire to return home,” the Apple supplier said. “The industrial park’s administration committee and Foxconn will organize staff and vehicles to assist you.”

The Taiwan-based contract manufacturer has three plants with a total of over 90 production lines and 350,000 employees in Zhengzhou. The factory from which staff are leaving has a workforce of 200,000, most of which live in company dormitories.

Foxconn will continue to coordinate with local governments to ensure those remaining get vital supplies, the firm said, adding that other factories have been asked to increase their output to minimize any production falloff.

It is still unclear how many employees plan to stay or go. The number of those in quarantine is also not known.

Henan reported seven symptomatic Covid-19 cases and 26 asymptomatic cases on Oct. 29, most of which were in the city of Zhengzhou. The province has added 120 cases so far. There are no severe cases at the factory, and the situation is under control, the pandemic prevention and control authorities in Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, where the factory is located, said yesterday.

Local governments in Henan also assured residents working at the plant that preparations are in place for their safe transportation back home, according to letters sent out on Oct. 29.

Editor: Martin Kadiev