Tesla's Fremont Plant To Close Monday: Report

PALO ALTO, CA — Tesla announced Thursday it will suspend operations at its Fremont plant on Monday, March 23, nearly a week after the electric car production facility was under a shelter-in-place order, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Alameda was among six Bay Area counties that declared shelter-in-place orders on Monday, March 16, in an effort to slow the new coronavirus outbreak. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order on Thursday night.
Only businesses that perform essential services are allowed to remain open amid the sweeping restrictions that will be in effect until further notice.
The Fremont Police Department on Thursday tweeted “Police Chief Kimberly Petersen and members of our City Management team will meet with Tesla Factory management today to discuss cooperation for compliance with the County Health Officer’s Order.”
A worker at the Fremont plant described a factory operating in disarray as it ran in defiance of county orders, The Chronicle report said.
The Chronicle obtained internal Tesla emails that said employees could opt out of working under the shelter-in-place order using paid or unpaid time, which according to the report many did.
A worker said the company staffed production lines with employees who normally perform different roles. Employees were working in close quarters without the use of protective equipment such as face masks, the report said.
“This is the worst I’ve ever seen, the conditions,” the employee told The Chronicle. “You’re sweating, your sweat is getting on metal, on plastic, on cardboard.”
The employee said production-line employees work in an environment in which the virus can potentially spread, noting they frequently touch the same parts and tools.
The Chronicle said it wasn’t revealing the employee’s name in accordance with its policy on usage of anonymous sources “because Tesla has shown a high level of vindictiveness toward employees who speak out about working conditions.”
The Chronicle said Tesla did not respond to multiple requests for comment on the conditions at the Fremont facility.
Tesla said in a statement that it decided to suspend production at its Fremont plant despite operating in compliance with all legal guidelines.
The statement doesn’t mention the shelter-in-place order.
“In the past few days, we have met with local, state and federal officials. We have followed and are continuing to follow all legal directions and safety guidelines with respect to the operations of our facilities, and have honored the Federal Government’s direction to continue operating. Despite taking all known health precautions, continued operations in certain locations has caused challenges for our employees, their families and our suppliers," the statement said.
“As such, we have decided to temporarily suspend production at our factory in Fremont, from end of day March 23, which will allow an orderly shutdown. Basic operations will continue in order to support our vehicle and energy service operations and charging infrastructure, as directed by the local, state and federal authorities”
Read more in The San Francisco Chronicle