LG Electronics halts operations at 2 Mexico plants

LG Electronics shut two plants in Mexico as the Mexican government initiated emergency measures to suspend operations of factories in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

The affected plants are television production facilities - one located in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, and the other in Mexicali, Baja California.

As the Mexican factories act as the key television manufacturing sites for the northern American market, the suspension could put a strain on the sales in the region.

The announcement came after the appliance maker locked down factories in the United States, Russia, Brazil and India.

Production at the Reynosa plant will be put on hold from Wednesday to next Monday, while the Mexicali operation will be suspended from March 13 to March 17.

Samsung Electronics temporarily closed its washer factory in South Carolina on Wednesday for the safety of workers amid the outbreak.

The facility will remain closed through March 18.

The South Carolina plant went into lockdown between March 3 and 5 after two of its workers tested positive for the deadly virus.

Samsung Electronics has shut manufacturing facilities in Europe, Brazil, Russia and India.

BY PARK EUN-JEE [park.eunjee@joongang.co.kr]