US Newberry plant shut down, two employees test positive for coronavirus

Samsung has halted operations at its home appliance manufacturing facility in Newberry County, USA, after two employees tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), according to the local media.

The report from The Newberry Observer citing a Samsung spokesperson reveals that the facility has been temporarily closed today and is to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized before operations resume on April 6.

Samsung’s Newberry plant employs around 1,000 people

Samsung’s Newberry facility in South Carolina is responsible for the manufacturing of home appliances, including the company’s Energy Star-certified washing machines. It employs roughly 1,000 people.

Three years ago, the company invested $380 million in the state of South Carolina for the 151,000 square feet factory to become operational, and production began a year later in 2018 with the help of over 800 full-time and contract workers. That number is said to have increased by roughly 200 over the past two years.

A new coronavirus case was also confirmed at Samsung Austin Semiconductor earlier this week. But unlike in Newberry County, the facilities in Austin have remained operational, and production was not affected.

Meanwhile, Samsung is making worldwide efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus. It has donated $29 million worth of funds and goods over the past three months and has temporarily shut down all of its retail stores across the United States in support of social distancing.