The SIA has written to President Trump and government bodies asking them to designate the semiconductor industry as “essential business” allowing companies to continue to operate in spite of shutdowns.

“We call on all states, provinces, and localities taking action to address the public health crisis to ensure the continued operations of the semiconductor industry and its suppliers,” the SIA said.

“Ensuring the continuity of semiconductor and related supply chains is necessary to support the even greater range of services that will be digitized in the coming weeks and months,”  says SIA CEO John Neuffer, “since the semiconductor supply chain is highly globalized, semiconductor shortages created by operating restrictions in one region cannot be readily made up by production in other regions.”

“As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, government officials in the U.S. and around the world are imposing business closures, shelter-in-place orders, and other restrictions in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus,” adds Neuffer, “as officials consider these important public health measures, it is critical that essential businesses and infrastructure, including the semiconductor industry, be allowed to continue operations.”