Coronavirus epidemic over? – Audi restarted its production in Győr – UPDATE

All automotive companies in Hungary suspended their production in March because of the coronavirus epidemic. Audi in Győr, Mercedes in Kecskemét, Suzuki in Esztergom and Opel in Szentgotthárd are some of the biggest employers in Hungary, and it seems that only Audi decided yet that they will continue the work.

We reported HERE that another 13 patients have died in Hungary and the number of registered novel coronavirus infections has risen by 54 to 1,512 in a single day, koronavirus.gov.hu said on Tuesday morning. So far, there have been 122 deaths. The epidemic is far from over and experts say that it can reach its peak only in June or July.

However, Audi in Győr issued a statement yesterday that they would restart production today – portfolio.hu reported. Furthermore, they announced a universal package of safety measures containing stricter regulations than the Hungarian healthcare system prescribes. The most important among these are keeping distance. According to the company, they already

reduced personal interactions between their workers to a minimum weeks ago. 

Of course, there are situations when such interactions are inevitable, but then all employees have to keep the 1.5 metres safety distance from each other.

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Furthermore, the company hired twice as many shuttle buses with which employees can travel between their homes and the plant of the automotive company. Moreover, they regularly sanitise all vehicles. Thanks to that, all passengers can keep a distance – Audi told.

All their employees will take part in compulsory education during which they will learn the new safety measures the company introduced. What’s more, they will receive a brochure containing the most important information. It was the idea of the workers to

produce components for protective masks with the help of 3D printers. 

In this project, Audi Hungária cooperates with other plants of the company, and they already made the prototypes which are currently being validated in the centre. Moreover, the company supported the purchase of two ventilators and gave protective clothing for the healthcare personnel in Győr.

UPDATE

Opel ready to restart production in Hungary after health safety measures in place

Carmaker giant Opel’s plant in Szentgotthárd, western Hungary, is prepared to restart production after stepping up health safety measures, with the timing depending on the situation of the automotive industry market and possible further restrictions to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the plant’s spokesman told MTI.

The plant’s workers council, unions and work safety representatives support the restart of production after health safety measures have been carried out, Zoltán Kaszás said.