The Tesla car factory in Fremont, California restarted preparations for restarting production on Monday. CEO Elon Musk made this decision despite a ban from the local government. Musk is ready to go to jail for it.
Factories may be slowly reopening in California, but the board of Alameda County, the region where the factory is located, has decided to open only essential businesses until the end of May; Tesla is not included in this. However, the brand relies on the fact that the generation of energy is allowed and that the construction of electric cars is covered by federal regulations. Tesla also points out that Alameda Country itself includes energy generation among the activities that are allowed again.
On Monday, all Tesla employees received an email saying that everyone who was sent on compulsory leave due to the lockdown is officially back in service. “We are happy to return to work and have taken very detailed measures to ensure your safety.” About ten thousand people work in the factory in Fremont.
In a tweet Musk said on Monday that he will be present at the factory. “If anyone needs to be arrested, I’ll ask if I can be that.”
Security check
Alameda County officials informed Tesla on Monday that the plant should not be opened before the safety measures are approved by them. As long as that has not happened, the region hopes that Tesla will adhere to the existing regulation, so that no action is required. The Alameda County lockdown ordinance states that violations can result in fines and / or imprisonment. A spokesman says the police will enforce that ordinance if necessary.
Last weekend, Musk threatened to relocate the Fremont auto factory and headquarters in Palo Alto, California, to Texas or Nevada. In his view, the corona measures “run counter to those of the governor, the president, constitutional freedoms and common sense”.