Latest Seeed Coronavirus (COVID-19) Status Updates
19th February 2020
Great news! All operations are running, including the warehouse and manufacturing. We will be back to normal very soon!
Hoorah! This is the moment we have all been waiting for. Firstly, thank you all so much for your extraordinary patience and understanding throughout this period. It really means a lot to us.
On the afternoon of the 19th, the State Council relieved working restrictions on the majority of factories and warehouses in the local area. In the next few days, personnel will be trickling back to work. Those traveling from other cities have been advised to self-isolate again in the city as a precaution. Along with a backlog of orders, operations may be a little slow in the coming days, so please leave a few extra days ahead of the usual production time/handling time to avoid disappointment.
The coronavirus is still a significant threat, especially as individuals rush back to work so we will be sure to remain vigilant and cautious. But we would like to reiterate that it is safe to receive packages from Mainland China. According to the advice given by the World Health Organization, “There is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods”.
Also, shared by the World Health Organization:
Thank you again and please feel free to let us know if you have any concerns!
Stay safe
– Seeed
Posted 14th February 2020
UPDATE: Most operations are continuing as usual but we regret to inform our customers that shipping for Seeed Bazaar and Fusion orders has been postponed to next week. Once we have the confirmed date, we will update our notices as soon as possible. Thank you so much for your understanding and deepest sympathies for the inconvenience.
In the current coronavirus situation, now officially named COVID-19, there still remains much uncertainty around when businesses can continue operations. As of the 14th of February, we are still waiting for news from the government as to when the warehouse can resume operations. The large majority of PCB production lines are currently running and processing orders as quickly as possible, but due to travel restrictions and quarantines, not all personnel are able to return yet and production times may be extended.
Although we are eager to return to normality and it deeply saddens us every time we have to share bad news, we fully respect the decisions of the authorities and are keeping a positive outlook.
We too are doing our best to keep operations moving without putting the health and safety of Seeeders at risk.
On a lighter note, a lot of you have expressed your concern and curiosity in the epidemic and how it has affected us (really appreciate it, thank you). Here are some details we’d thought we’d share:
Where are we located? How far is it from the epicenter of the epidemic?
Our headquarters are in the city of Shenzhen (the Silicon Valley of Hardware, of course) in the South of China, and most of our operations and supply chains are within the city and the surrounding areas.
Wuhan, in Hubei province, is in central China just over 1000km away. But the interconnectivity of China means nowhere is safe. Lockdowns and voluntary isolation have been implemented in many areas to be safe.
Is Shenzhen like a ghost town?
I wouldn’t know, I haven’t been out. Kidding. Yes, but it is not an unusual sight this time of year in Shenzhen, as most people tend to go home for the Spring Festival.
These days, people are limiting time outside for fetching groceries and necessities, and there is no shortage of novel ways of keeping entertained at home. Broom Challenge anyone?
How are you?
Good! We are all taking responsible measures to minimize exposure including self-isolation, working from home where possible and maintaining good hand and face hygiene.
Despite the horror stories and dire predictions, spirits are high and we are confident the epidemic can be overcome soon with the combined efforts of individuals and the authorities.
Thank you again and stay tuned for some good news soon,
– Seeed
Posted 10th February 2020
Production for Seeed Fusion orders has commenced in a limited capacity but the dispatch of all packages including from the Seeed Bazaar has been postponed until the 14th of February to comply with government regulations. Seeed offers it’s deepest sympathies and sincere gratitude for your understanding and support during this time.
To protect the health of individuals and limit the spread of the coronavirus, the latest regulations require workplaces to obtain permission from the State Council to resume operations. Some of Seeed’s operations are waiting for confirmation which is expected in the coming days. As a safe estimate, the dispatch of goods has been postponed to the 14th. Production is also expected to return to full capacity around this time.
We are doing everything we can to work with what is available and reduce the impact on our valued customers, but we understand if this delay simply doesn’t work with your schedule. If this is the case, please get in touch and we will see what can be done.
Finally, we’d personally like to thank you for all the kind messages of support. Health and safety remain our number one priority – we are all looking after ourselves and those around us and we won’t let the epidemic get us down, 大家加油！(Everyone, add oil!)
We’ll keep you informed,
– Seeed
Posted 29th January 2020
In response to the developing coronavirus situation in China, the State Council of the People’s Republic of China has officially extended the Spring Festival Holiday until the 3rd of February for nonessential businesses in an effort to curb the spread of the disease. As a result, all orders placed via the Seeed Bazaar will not be dispatched until the 3rd of February at the earliest.
For Seeed Fusion orders, in the interest of workers’ safety and to reduce transmission of the virus, production will continue from the 10th of February. Customer service will be around to answer your inquiries from the 3rd.
Regarding receiving goods from China; there is no evidence of viral transmission from goods received from affected areas. The coronavirus has shown to have spread from close contact with affected individuals and viruses do not survive for more than a few hours without a host. As an extra precaution, our personnel will be wearing protective gear in the working environment when operations commence. International packages are shipped from Shenzhen and do not go through Wuhan. Therefore, there is very little risk when receiving goods from Seeed. As an extra precaution, you can spray the outer packaging with sanitizer upon receipt of the goods.
Thank you for your support and understanding during this turbulent time. The situation is likely to change at a moment’s notice but we will keep you up to date with any future developments. Please refer to the website, social media channels and this blog post for the latest information.
Stay safe and have a Happy New Year
– Seeed
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