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Volkswagen to close Chattanooga plant on Monday due to coronavirus concerns

Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Two 2020 Atlas Cross Sports are driven out at the Volkswagen Assembly Plant on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn. The five-seat Atlas Cross Sport, which takes design cues from its larger seven-seat Atlas SUV, will hit dealerships early next year, according to the German automaker.
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Two 2020 Atlas Cross Sports are driven out at the Volkswagen Assembly Plant on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn. The five-seat Atlas Cross Sport, which takes design cues from its larger seven-seat Atlas SUV, will hit dealerships early next year, according to the German automaker. Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Two 2020 Atlas Cross Sports are driven out at the Volkswagen Assembly Plant on Friday, Oct. 11, 2019 in Chattanooga, Tenn. The five-seat Atlas Cross Sport, which takes design cues from its larger seven-seat Atlas SUV, will hit dealerships early next year, according to the German automaker.

By Mike Pare 1 min read

For answers to frequently asked questions about the coronavirus, click here.

Volkswagen’s Chattanooga plant is closing Monday, for one day, to support employees as they plan in the wake of school closings, and the factory will undertake preventative action to sanitize and deep clean the facility.

Plant CEO Tom du Plessis said in a note to employees that as the COVID-19 outbreak changes so quickly, VW is constantly evaluating its path forward for employees, the community and the business.

“This is uncharted territory and we appreciate your patience as we navigate this together,” he said. “We understand the impact of the decision yesterday to close schools: our families need time to make arrangements for child care during the two-week closure.”

The VW Chattanooga CEO said to enable employees to plan, the factory will close Monday and provide paid time off so workers can assess child care needs and make arrangements.