Tesla’s US factory to stay open as coronavirus lockdown begins

Electric vehicle maker Tesla will be allowed to continue operating its Fremont factory as the San Francisco Bay Area begins a three-week lockdown to rein in the spread of coronavirus, the Los Angeles Times reported. Tesla’s sole US auto factory in Alameda County employs more than 10,000 workers and had annualised production of slightly over 415,000 units by the fourth quarter. The county is one of six covered by a ‘shelter in place’ order from regional authorities that limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential, and advises people to stay home except for the most crucial reasons. An Alameda County spokesman told the LA Times that Tesla had been declared an essential business that was allowed to continue operating amid the shutdown, but the spokesman was not able to provide further details. Tesla and Alameda County officials did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. Under the county’s order, gas stations, auto-supply, auto-repair and related facilities are considered essential businesses, but it was unclear if Tesla managed to get an exemption under that rule.