Renault is to close its Busan plant in South Korea from 11 – 14 February as the automaker grapples with the fallout from the evolving coronavirus crisis, which has now seen 908 deaths.
Given South Korea’s proximity to China, supply disruption is being experienced in the country.
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“Following the industrial and logistical disruptions linked to the spread of the Coronavirus in China, Renault set up a system to anticipate, monitor and control supply risks for its plants around the world,” said a Renault statement sent to just-auto from Paris.
“Renault and Nissan are working closely together on this crisis. [The] Busan plant will close 11 February for 4 days. Reopening is planned for 17 February.
Last month, Renault Samsung cut a shift at the Busan assembly plant, following a series of strikes by its unionised workers over wages and benefits.
Strike action took place for 12 days in protest at the company’s proposal to freeze wages in 2019 due to weak sales.
The company has also offered its workers voluntary retirement for the first time since 2012 but only a few dozen took up the offer.
French Prime Minister, Edouard Philippe held a meeting in Paris on Saturday at which it was decided to advise against all but essential travel to China for French citizens.
China has now come to the end of its already-extended New Year celebrations, but a fresh challenge for the authorities is the estimated 400m people who will be travelling.
State-run agencies note The Ministry of Transport will set up a temporary quarantine area at the back of public transport vehicles for emergencies, in information published by the State Council for the People’s Republic of China.
Those who suddenly have a fever or other symptoms will be isolated in those areas and moved to a test station for more evaluation.
