Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant is on temporary shutdown due to coronavirus.
The car manufacturer’s parent company PSA Group took the decision to halt production at both its bases in the Wirral and Luton from Tuesday, March 17.
Over 1,000 people are employed at the Ellesmere Port site, which is currently scheduled to reopen its doors 10 days after the short-term closure.
PSA’s other 13 sites in France, Germany, Spain and Poland will also be on a shutdown beginning Tuesday in the ongoing fallout over the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the group said: “Due to the acceleration observed in recent days of serious Covid-19 cases close to certain production sites, supply disruptions from major suppliers, as well as the sudden decline in the automobile markets, the chairman of the executive board with the members of the crisis unit decided the principle of the closure of the vehicle production sites.”
Justin Madders, the MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, responded to the temporary closure, tweeting: “Sadly this is likely to be one of many businesses impacted in this way.
“At least those that work there will still receive pay during this closure.”