Toyota shutting down Georgetown plant three days to deep clean
A day after Gov. Andy Beshear exempted state auto manufacturers from closing amid the coronavirus pandemic, major automakers announced shutdowns across the nation after a worker at at least one plant tested positive.
Toyota in Georgetown has not had a case but the plant, along with all Toyota plants in North America including Canada and Mexico, will shut down for three production days to deep clean.
The company also expects demand to drop with the economic downturn.
Georgetown’s plant, which employs about 10,000, will be closed March 21 and March 23-24, according to spokesman Rick Hesterberg. Workers will be paid for the days the plant is closed, he said.
“At this point, we anticipate resuming production on March 25. But it’s a fluid situation,” he said. The plant also is closing its onsite daycare on Friday to comply with Beshear’s order, he said. The company is allowing employees who have childcare needs to arrange paid time off.
Ford Motor Company, which is Kentucky’s largest manufacturer with almost 13,000 employees in Louisville, announced it will close all North American plants after Thursday evening shifts.
Ford’s shutdown will last through March 30 “to thoroughly clean its facilities to protect its workforce and boost containment efforts for the COVID-19 coronavirus,” according to a news release. An employee at a Michigan plant tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, the company said.
A Fiat worker in Michigan also reportedly tested positive at one of its U.S. plants.
Fiat Chrysler and GM also will close all of their North American factories, which would include the GM plant in Bowling Green where Corvettes are made, according to published reports.
Honda North America also announced on Wednesday that it would close four U.S.-based plants on March 23 due to anticipated decline in market demand.
Union leaders hailed the decisions to close plants. “Today’s action is the prudent thing to do. By taking a shutdown and working through next steps, we protect UAW members, their families and the community,” said Rory Gamble, president of the UAW, in a statement. The United Auto Workers covers Ford, GM and Fiat Chrysler.
