PSA Group has said it will close all of its European plants because of the coronavirus outbreak until later this month.
The firm runs the Vauxhall factory in Ellesmere Port and Luton, and told the Press Association on Monday that both would now shut down until March 27.
The group said in a statement: “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."
As of Monday morning, 40,279 people had been tested, with 38,907 negative and 1,372 positive.
The death toll reached 35 on Sunday.
