Coronavirus Update: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles To Close Four Italian Plants Over COVID-19 Concerns

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU) is temporarily closing four plants in Italy as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country.

Italy has been the center of the COVID-19 outbreak, outside of China, with more than 10,000 cases of the virus reported, according to the World Health Organization. The country has also seen 631 deaths from the coronavirus, the agency said.

Fiat Chrysler made the announcement after the Italian government restricted travel across the country and banned public gathering to help contain the spread of the virus in the region.

Fiat said on Wednesday that the plants would be closed and production rates reduced “to support the nationwide campaign addressing the COVID-19 crisis,” CNN reported.

A Fiat Chrysler spokesperson told the news outlet that that the affected Italian plants will be closed the rest of the week as the automaker looks to “minimize the risk” of contagion among employees. The company reportedly expects the plants to reopen on March 16.

The company also said it will increase space between employees at workstations to help limit contact, which will reduce Fiat Chrysler’s daily production rates, and some employees will also be allowed to work from home while cafeteria numbers are controlled, CNN said.

Shares of Fiat Chrysler stock were down 3.32% as of 1:52 p.m. EDT on Wednesday.