TSMC and UMC Implements Working From Home Rules Due to Spread of Omicron Variant in Taiwan

Up until a few weeks ago, Taiwan had been largely spared from local spread of the Coronavirus, but the Omicron variant has bypassed the defences that were set up to prevent the virus from spreading. Although the amount of verified cases are still comparatively very low, there’s a cluster of over 100 cases confirmed in a free trade zone near the Taoyuan airport, which has so far mostly affected Askey, but other companies in the same free trade zone have had their staff tested and are waiting for the results. As a preventive measure, TSMC, UMC and other companies are already implementing working from home rules for staff that aren’t critical to production.

TSMC already started what they call epidemic prevention measures last week and called off unnecessary face to face meetings, paused international business trips and limited local business trips, among other things. TSMC has also stopped all regional shuttle buses between its various locations in Taiwan, as well as local shuttle buses between plants, to help prevent any potential spread. The company is also said to have closed most of its staff facilities and even suspended its Chinese New Year party, which is one of the highlights for many workers in Taiwan, largely due to the giveaways that the companies are doing, in addition to any bonuses that are being paid around this time of the year. Time will tell if Taiwan can continue to stave off the virus, but to date, 73.2 percent of the population has taken two shots of vaccine, although the government is already pushing for a third dose, largely because most people have received the AstraZeneca vaccine which is considered as giving less protection against the Omicron variant. It should be noted that neither TSMC or UMC have any chip plats in Taoyuan, but TSMC does have a backed fab at the opposite end of Taoyuan.