As Italy went into coronavirus lockdown, with people encouraged not to go out unless the trip was essential, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) said it was temporarily halting operations at some plants there and would reduce production rates.

Fiat Chrysler (FCA) said in a statement cited by the Reuters news agency it had boosted measures across its facilities, including intensive sanitisation of all work and rest areas, to support the government's directives to curb the spread of the infectious disease.

"As a result of taking these actions the company will, where necessary, make temporary closures of its plants across Italy," it said.

A spokesman told Reuters affected plants were Pomigliano, Melfi, Atessa and Cassino, each halted for two or three days between Wednesday (11 March) and Saturday (14 March).

FCA said that to allow greater spacing of employees at their workstations "daily production rates will be lowered to accommodate the adapted manufacturing processes".

However, a Reuters source said FCA did not expect an impact on overall production rates.

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The source added temporary closures were in no way linked to disruptions of auto parts supplies following antivirus measures imposed by the government all over Italy.