Skoda to start Czech plant shutdowns

[Mark-x]

Skoda will suspend production at its plants in the Czech Republic for two weeks starting on Wednesday evening, the company said.Skoda, the country's largest exporter, said it would pay workers 70 percent of wages until March 29 and then 75 percent until April 5 during the shutdown.Skoda parent, Volkswagen Group, said on Tuesday it was suspending production at factories across Europe, likely for two to three weeks, as the coronavirus pandemic hits sales and disrupts supply chains.Skoda has confirmed two cases of coronavirus in its employees and has home-isolated several workers, it said.