Coronavirus Shuts Down Harley-Davidson Factories

In an effort to keep workers sheltered from the spread of the coronavirus, Harley-Davidson announced on Wednesday that it is temporarily shuttering its vehicle production facility in York, Pennsylvania, and the Tomahawk Operations and Pilgrim Road Powertrain Operations plants in Wisconsin. The plants will stay dark at least through March 29, Harley-Davidson said in a release.

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The Pilgrim Road facility was the first to close Wednesday, after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. Harley workers are on temporary layoff, but will keep their health benefits, the company said. While the manufacturing is shut down, the company said it will use the time to disinfect production lines and common areas.

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As the situation has been evolving at a crazy pace since last week, Harley-Davidson said it will keep tabs on the situation and act in accordance with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization.

Harley headquarters employees have been asked to work from home at least until the end of March, and the company is working with its dealer network and asking that they abide by guidelines laid out by local authorities. Company-sponsored events have been canceled until mid-April.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to prioritize employee health and safety,” Harley-Davidson acting CEO and president Jochen Zeitz said.