The statement was issued on Monday, as at least two large industrial firms which had previously slowed activity announced a resumption of production.

Goodyear, which has a facility in Colmar-Berg, idled its production line of truck and earthmover tyres and other local manufacturing plants on 27 March, to remain closed until “at least 3 April”, a spokesperson said. The mold plant resumed partial operations on 30 March.

Steel giant ArcelorMittal said in a statement that it resumed production on the Belval, Differdange and Rodange sites on 30 March, according to a press release. The Bissen wiredrawing site saw its activity suspended from 25 March to 1 April while its activities in Dommeldange closed from 26 March to 9 April. The latter two were idled because of team absences related to extraordinary parental leave, sick leave, self-isolation and quarantine, the press release explained.

The LCGB wrote it was aware halting of production could “accelerate our path towards an economic crisis on a scale not seen since the Second World War,” but said “health must take precedence over profit”.

It claimed that in some facilities protective equipment was often lacking and the application of “certain health measures are sometimes very difficult to comply with.” It argued that site closures would be the most effective measure in limiting human contact and thus the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

The Goodyear spokesperson said the firm had implemented “clear preventative measures to help protect associates and reduce the overall spread of COVID-19.” These included additional cleaning and availability of sanitising products; limiting visitors to business-critical guests only; and practising appropriate physical and social distancing. 

ArcelorMittal wrote in its statement:

“The health situation is exceptional and we place the highest priority in protecting our teams…In this difficult and extraordinary period, ArcelorMittal is mobilizing to continue its industrial activity in the best sanitary conditions for its employees, and thus keep on providing products quality and impeccable customer service.”