Honda to temporarily shut down and clean all plants due to coronavirus

Honda announced Wednesday that it will suspend its production as a result of coronavirus. The company is expecting a decline in demand for cars and will close for six days, starting Monday. Employees of Honda will continue to receive full pay during the temporary shut down, according to Tech Crunch.

All Honda automotive production plants will be shut down worldwide, including plants in Canada, U.S., Mexico and Europe due to the "anticipated decline in market demand related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Honda in a released statement.

“As the market impact of the fast-changing COVID-19 situation evolves, Honda will continue to evaluate conditions and make additional adjustments as necessary,” the company said in a statement. “In undertaking this production adjustment, Honda is continuing to manage its business carefully through a measured approach to sales that aligns production with market demand.”

The hiatus will reduce production by approximately 40,000 vehicles and will affect approximately 27,600 Honda associates in North America alone.

Honda has stated that they will use this time to conduct a deep cleaning of their production facilities and common areas over the six-day shutdown.

The statement went on to say that "This production adjustment also will allow Honda associates to better prepare and adjust family plans in relation to regional directives to close schools to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus."