Chinese New Year Extended due to Coronavirus

Chinese New Year Extended due to Coronavirus

Chinese Companies Shut Down

On January 27, 2020, the Chinese Government announced it would extend Chinese Lunar New Year until February 2, 2020 for China (Nation) in order to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.  Moreover, Shanghai and Guangdong Province, which includes Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Dongguan will extend the holiday until February 9, 2020.  Hong Kong’s Chinese New Year will only change one day and will extend until January 28, 2020.  For this reason, several companies will not resume work until the day after the holiday.

Companies will most likely resume

China (National)
Monday, February 3, 2020

Shanghai and Guangdong Province
Monday, February 10, 2020

Hong Kong
Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Cities under Quarantine

Several cities are under quarantine.  Land, air and ocean cargo transportation has been suspended, which will affect manufacturing deadlines and shipping schedules.  In fact, according to Reuters, “The end of the Lunar New Year holiday, China’s busiest travel season, was pushed back to Sunday from Thursday to ‘reduce mass gatherings’ and ‘block the spread of the epidemic,’ a Cabinet statement said. The holiday started on Jan 24 and was originally to end on Jan 30. The government of Shanghai has told Universities, primary and middle schools and kindergartens across the country that it will postpone the opening of the spring semester until further notice. It ordered sports stadiums to close and religious events to cancel.”

What to do

Please try to understand that in this situation, transit times and delays cannot be controlled.  Some of Scarbrough’s local partners are mentioning that this epidemic is one of the worst they have seen in their lives.  Scarbrough will continue to monitor the situation, while keeping our partners and friends located in China in our thoughts.  Scarbrough will send updates on your cargo if it is significantly affected.  If you have any specific questions, please contact your direct customer service representative.