Vauxhall announces it is to shut down its Ellesmere Port factory

Vauxhall has announced it is to shut down its factory in Ellesmere Port as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

PSA Group, which owns Vauxhall, has announced that it is to close all its European plants until the end of the month.

The closures include the Vauxhall factories in Ellesmere Port and Luton.

The factory in the Wirral employs around 1,100 staff.

Groupe PSA – the parent company of Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall – is to shut all its production facilities until March 27.

The French firm blamed disruption to supply chains, falling demand for cars and the rapid spread of the virus.

A spokesperson said: “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.

“The site management teams will implement the site closure procedures locally, which will be done in coordination with the social partners.

“Groupe PSA remind that until then, compliance with the barrier measures, going beyond the recommendations of the health authorities on the sites, are the best protection to prevent the spread of the virus.”

The government is expected to give an update on the current situation this afternoon.

According to official figures 44,105 people have been tested in the UK and 1,543 have been confirmed as positive.

The total number of people in the UK to have died after contracting the virus currently stands at 35.

The firm had said it was keen to support the government in its bid to manufacture more ventilators.

“We have been in contact with the UK government and are keen to assist at Vauxhall Motors’ Ellesmere Port plant,” said Stephen Norman, the managing director of Vauxhall Motors.

“Once we have more details on the requirements, we will be able to analyse what we can do.”

It has also emerged that a man in Cheshire has died after contracting the virus.

Dr Matt Tyrer, acting director of public health at Cheshire East Council, said: “It is with great sadness that today we have been informed that a man who had tested positive for Covid-19, who was being cared for at Leighton Hospital, has died.

“The patient, who died yesterday, was in his 60s and had underlying health conditions.

“His family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.

“I would like to reassure everyone who lives and works in the borough that the council is working with its partners to ensure the protection of the public to the best of our ability and to defeat this virus over time.

“Cheshire East Council continues to work closely with Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England to ensure we have the very latest advice and that best practice is adhered to.

“We are working closely with partners in the NHS to ensure the most vulnerable people are protected. We are committed to ensuring that people have clear and up-to-date information to enable them to make the most informed decisions for themselves and their families.”