Boeing has announced that it will suspend all aircraft production at their factories in the Puget Sound area in Washington, USA.
The shutdown is due to the prevailing state of emergency declared in Washington and due to the continuing spread of the Covid-19 virus. Boeing is reducing operations today and will shut down on 25 March 2020.
The shutdown will continue for at least 14 days, during which the company “will be conducting additional deep cleaning activities at impacted sites and establishing rigorous criteria for return to work”.
Employees will continue to receive pay
The company has directed employees who can work from home to continue to do so. Employees who cannot work remotely will receive pay for the first 10 days of the suspension, which Boeing says is double the company policy.
Dave Calhoun, CEO, Boeing
“This necessary step protects our employees and the communities where they work and live, We continue to work closely with public health officials, and we’re in contact with our customers, suppliers and other stakeholders who are affected by this temporary suspension. We regret the difficulty this will cause them, as well as our employees, but it’s vital to maintain health and safety for all those who support our products and services, and to assist in the national effort to combat the spread of COVID-19,