Toyota factories in Japan and Coronavirus

RE: North American plants

Toyota is temporarily suspending production at all of its automobile and components plants in North America, including Canada, Mexico and the U.S. - Toyota USA Newsroom

from the above link:

Toyota is temporarily suspending production at all of its automobile and components plants in North America, including Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
March 18, 2020

Toyota is temporarily suspending production at all of its automobile and components plants in North America, including Canada, Mexico and the U.S. The manufacturing facilities will be closed from March 23-24, resuming production on March 25, 2020. Our service parts depots and vehicle logistics centers will continue to operate.

This action is being taken to help ensure the health and safety of our employees, and due to an anticipated decline in market demand related to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will conduct a thorough cleaning at all of our manufacturing facilities during the shutdown. This also will allow Toyota employees to prepare and adjust family plans in relation to regional directives to close schools. The safety and security of our employees, stakeholders and community are a top priority and we will continue to monitor the situation and take action in a timely manner.

 

Thanks for sharing that, glad that employee seems okay and hope he recovers quickly. I'm somewhat surprised they resumed operations that quickly but I guess they did a quick but thorough job disinfecting the area.

 

Understandable, as long as they ensure worker safety, keeping plants open helps keep workers getting paid and the local economy more stable.

 

Did not hear any reports as to if they expect any later shortages on parts so sounds good for now.

Heard from a podcaster that focuses on EV cars that they were keeping their main factories operational despite shutdowns in their smaller plants outside of Japan.

China seems to have things stabilized there with no new infections reported recently so if any parts come from there they might have those plants back in operation.

 

Statement on Reported COVID-19 Infection at Toyota Work Site in Japan | Corporate | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

Here is a quote of the article from the link above that explains in more detail:

(quote)
Today, Toyota has confirmed that a male full-time employee in his 20’s working as an line worker at its Toyota City Takaoka Plant, based in Aichi Prefecture, Japan has been found to be infected with COVID-19. The employee in question reported having a fever on Saturday, March 14, and has been off staying home to rest from Monday, March 16. On March 19, as his fever continued, he took the test for the COVID-19 virus, which returned positive.

Since we first learned that the employee was suspected to be “positive” with COVID-19, we conducted an investigation and have found 11 other individuals to have been in close contact with him. As a safety precaution, these individuals have been asked to stay home until the 14th day from the date that they had last contact with the employee. Also, Toyota immediately disinfected the affected work sites on March 19 after learning that the employee was suspected of being positive and resumed operation shortly afterwards.

We sincerely apologize for any anxiety or concern that this news may cause to people in the surrounding regions. We are treating this as an issue that affects all locations and will further enhance our communication and health checks with staff at all locations. We will do our best to provide timely updates on these individuals as the situation progresses as well as implementing measures to prevent the further spread of the virus.

Sincerely,

Akio Toyoda, President
Toyota Motor Corporation
(end of quote)

 

They might eventually have to do like some banks that closed to the public as far as the lobby but businesses that need to do business must make an appointment and they'll unlock the lobby to let businesses in by appointments only.