More Than 130 Tesla Workers Test Positive For Coronavirus: Report

FREMONT, CA — More than 130 Tesla workers at the Fremont assembly plant have tested positive for coronavirus, with more test results pending, according to the blog Electrek which obtained leaked internal documents. Another dozen contractors and temporary employees have also tested positive.

The company told workers in an email, "If you test positive, you will need to stay home for 10 days after the test date and at least three days after you have recovered. Recovery means that your fever is gone for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications and your respiratory symptoms have improved. A doctor’s note is required to say you are fit to return to work."

Contact tracing is being done to track the source of newly diagnosed cases.

In addition to the sick employees, team members who worked alongside the diagnosed workers have been asked to self-quarantine, bringing the number of "affected" employees to more than 1,550.

The electric automaker has also set up hand-washing stations, requires masks and social distancing, and has temperature scanners on hand.

Tesla has a troubled history with coronavirus. Founder Elon Musk resisted efforts to shut down the plant, calling it an essential business by federal standards. Alameda County finally forced it to shut down in March, but Musk restarted the Tesla plant in defiance of an Alameda County health order and said that he was prepared to be arrested for the action. He also threatened to move all operations, including the assembly plant and corporate headquarters, out of California. Fremont Mayor Lily Mei urged temperance on all sides. An agreement to reopen was reached within days.

Read more at Electrek.

>>Also See: Tesla Fired 2 Workers Who Refused To Return To Work: Report