DEARBORN, Michigan, March 18, 2020 ? Following Thursday evening shifts, Ford is temporarily suspending production at its manufacturing sites in North America through March 30th to thoroughly clean its facilities to protect its workforce and boost containment efforts for the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

?We?re continuing to work closely with union leaders, especially the United Auto Workers, to find ways to help keep our workforce healthy and safe ? even as we look at solutions for continuing to provide the vehicles customers really want and need,? said Kumar Galhotra, Ford?s President of North America. ?In these unprecedented times, we?re exploring unique and creative solutions to support our workforce, customers, dealers, suppliers and communities.?
Working To Prevent The Spread of Coronavirus

UAW and Ford leaders will work together in the coming weeks on plant restart plans as well as exploring additional protocols and procedures for helping prevent the spread of the virus. Chief among them: finding ways to maximize social distancing among plant workers ? both during work hours and at shift change, when large numbers of people typically gather at entry and exit points and maximizing cleaning times between shift changes.

?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. ?We have time to review best practices when the pl...