Magna has joined a growing list of suppliers and OEMs which have banned travel to China as the coronavirus crisis expands across the world.
China is home to numerous OEMs and suppliers, many concentrated around the city of Wuhan, whose 11m inhabitants are now in lock-down as Beijing attempts to stem the spread of the coronavirus, which has now claimed 213 lives.
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“We have more than 20,000 employees in China and 54 sites,” a Magna spokesman told just-auto. “We did expand the New Year holiday until 9 February.
“Yes, we have [a] China travel ban implemented until further notice [as well as] issuing employee health screenings and workplace hygiene measures at our China facilities. And we [are] shipping extra medical supplies to our Chinese operations.”
Many Western countries are now organising repatriation flights for their citizens out of Wuhan, with France confirming its first evacuation service has now returned to its territory. Several French companies including PSA, Renault, Faurecia, Plastic Omnium and Valeo are present in the Wuhan region, although it is as yet unclear how many of their staff were on board that flight.
“We can confirm to you a French Air Force A340 repatriating French and European nationals originating from Wuhan has landed today at Air Base 125 in Istres [South of France],” a French Army Staff spokeswoman told just-auto.
“At this stage, we don’t unfortunately have any more information to give you concerning the mission.
“Concerning the evacuation operation in its totality, as well as those people involved, we would ask you to approach the Ministry of Health.”
