Coronavirus causes Toyota to extend shutdown again, Georgetown workers affected
Toyota has decided to keep its factories closed until May 1, and keep production suspended until May 4, the company announced Wednesday.
The plants are closed because of the coronavirus pandemic and a reduced demand for vehicles, Toyota said. The shutdown extension includes “all automobile and components plants in North America, including Canada, Mexico and the U.S.,” according to the announcement.
The decision affects about 10,000 employed at the Toyota manufacturing plant in Georgetown, spokesman Rick Hesterberg confirmed. Toyota’s production and skilled employees will be paid four days each week for the weeks of April 20 and April 27, Hesterberg said. They will have to use a day of paid or unpaid time off for the fifth day of each week.
Production and skilled variable workforce members who came from outside agencies will be released back to their agencies, Hesterberg said, but they will continue to receive benefits. Those workers can apply for unemployment compensation.
Serviced parts operations and finished vehicle logistics centers will remain open to serve the needs of customers, Toyota said. The company also said it will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if needed.
Toyota initially started a temporary shutdown on March 23, which was set to end on April 3, with production resuming April 6. On March 26, the company extended that shutdown to April 17, with production resuming April 20.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 2:10 PM.