India saw one of the largest spikes in Coronavirus cases on Friday as it reported 17,296 cases. India’s total count of COVID-19 cases now stands at 5,09,446 and now it is behind USA, Brazil and Russia in relation to total confirmed COVID-19 cases. Indian economy took a severe hit during phase 1 of lockdown from 25 March 2020 – 14 April 2020 (21 days). From 4th May 2020, the lockdown was eased in almost all the zones with relaxations for the different businesses and industries in particular. Bajaj Auto resumed operations at the Waluj production facility in Aurangabad in the last week of April. The Indian motorcycle brand was operating the production unit in two shifts. Coronavirus pandemic hasn’t spared the Bajaj Waluj plant as more than 200 employees have tested positive for the virus and four have lost their lives, as per the latest media reports streaming in.
In an official statement released by Bajaj auto to media outlets on Friday evening, the company said: “We had our first reported case on June 6. We have immediately taken all necessary measures for testing, contact tracing, self-isolation and complete sanitation as per protocol. All incidences were reported to the appropriate authorities."
Despite the rise in the COVID-19 cases in the country as well as at the manufacturing unit, Bajaj Auto declined to shut down the Aurangabad plant. One of its leading officials in a written answer to media outlets said that the company will continue to provide all support including medical help to the COVID-19 affected employees. The company's other production units in Chakan (near Pune) and Pantnagar (Uttarakhand) haven't reported any COVID-19 cases so far.
Bajaj Auto claims that no COVID-19 cases were detected from the April 24 when the production unit was opened. The first COVID-19 case at Bajaj came to the notice of management on 6th June 2020. COVID-19 cases were detected earlier at leading automotive firms like Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. The companies shut down the plant temporarily and undertook sanitization of the plant.
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