In response to the temporary shutdown measures taken by U.S. automakers, Novelis, the aluminum manufacturing plant in Oswego County, is closing part of its production line effective today. The shutdown is scheduled to last only until the end of the month, at which time company officials plan to reevaluate the situation. Employees will be paid in the two-week interim according to Leila Giancone, head of communications for the Oswego plant.
Novelis produces a billion pounds of aluminum products every year that are used in the automotive, building, and beverage can industries. Ginacone said the remainder of the plant will stay open to continue serving the beverage can and specialty markets.
This is the latest measure the company has taken in response to the spread of COVID-19. Giancone said Novelis is requiring some employees to work from home, implementing social distancing policies at the plant, curtailing travel, and monitoring employees for symptoms of the virus. Additionally, only 25 percent of its 1,150 employees at the plant remained on-site in accordance with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's order for businesses.
Giancone said the action the company is taking today is subject to change as the situation evolves with the virus and new directives from the state and federal government.