The Audi plant in Brussels, one of the largest car factories in Belgium, decided today to suspend its production for a whole week due to the increase in Covid cases among workers, a spokesman said.
According to Belgian media, the precautionary measure, which should initially only apply to the morning shift, was extended to a total of almost 2,000 factory workers after a discussion with the unions.
“The absolute priority is the health of our partners,” explained Peter D’Or, a spokesman for Volkswagen’s subsidiary German carmaker.
Twelve factory workers have been positive for Covid in recent days, amid a sharp rise in infections in Belgium.
It is the first time since the beginning of the pandemic in Europe in March 2020 that this big employer in the Belgian capital has to stop working for several days in a row.
The terms of a resumption of production next week are expected to be set by Friday, said D’Op, quoted by the Belga news agency.
As of 2018, this factory located in the municipality of Forrest in the Brussels suburbs is only engaged in the production of the company’s first 4X4 city (SUV) 100% electric, the Audi e-tron, which claims the position of world leader in its category .
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