The Coronavirus scare is taking a toll on industries across sectors and the auto sector is one of the firsts to take the hit. With over 250 cases being reported across the country so far, corporates are taking all necessary and possible measures to avoid the outspread. Tata Motors has decided to rapidly scale down activities at its Pune plant and is getting to just the required skeleton operations by the end of Monday, March 23, 2020.

Maharashtra has been one of the worst impacted states in the country with maximum cases reported in Pune. Since Tata Motors plant is based on the outskirts of the city in Chakan, the company has decided to scale down excessively on production. The management further went on stating that it is ready for the plant closure by the end of Tuesday, March 24, 2020, if the situation worsens. The plant would likely be closed till March 31, 2020 and the management in the due course will review the situation to begin further operations.

Guenter Butschek, Chairman- Tata Motors has also requested its employees to follow the advisories and adopt self-quarantine in order to maintain social distancing. Employees have been instructed to avoid using public or even personal transport and stop attending any social gathering. In addition, they have also been asked not to travel and avoid going to public places.