Apple Cancels The March 31 iPhone 9 Launch Event Due To COVID-19

Apple has reportedly canceled its launch event scheduled for March 31 due to the COVID-19 outbreak, according to GizmoChina. The Cupertino-based tech giant was supposed to launch the iPhone 9 late this month alongside several other devices like a new iPad Pro.

Apple decided to cancel the launch event following a temporary ban from the Santa Clara County against mass gatherings due to concerns around the increase in coronavirus cases in the region.

In addition, Apple has restricted its engineers from going to Asia amid the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the development of the iPhone 12 that may, in turn, lead to a delay in its launch event this fall. The engineers are given an additional month for their deadline to the end of next month so they can travel for business in Asia later.

These restrictions mean a delay on EVTs (engineering verification tests) for 5G iPhones at China-based manufacturing facilities.

Last month, Apple said that its revenue for this quarter will be lower than its previous forecasts and the global iPhone supply will be constrained temporarily considering the consequences of the pandemic.

COVID-19, previously known as the coronavirus disease, originated in Wuhan, China, and has since broken out in over 100 countries around the world, including India. With early symptoms as coughing, fever, the disease can easily be mistaken with regular flu, but people with one of these symptoms are advised to come to the nearest hospital to get tested as soon as possible.

Today, WHO declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, which means the coronavirus has officially spread to every part of the world and anyone can be at risk. The number of confirmed cases is going up fast in India, which has crossed the 70-case mark as of today, so everyone must be extra careful with where they go and who they make contact with.

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