Staff Report

ROCKFORD – The Belvidere Assembly Plant will be closed through the middle of April.

The closure is part of Fiat Chrysler’s decision to close all North American plants through April 14 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Belvidere plant is currently on a scheduled two-week shutdown.

“FCA continues to take important steps to help flatten the curve of the spread of COVID-19, and put the health and safety of our workforce, and the communities where we live and work first” Fiat Chrysler said in a statement. “FCA plants across the U.S. and Canada, as well as headquarters operations and construction projects, are intended to remain closed until April 14, dependent upon the various state stay in place orders and the readiness of each facility to return to production.

“The Mopar Parts Distribution Centers, which have been deemed essential to keeping first responders and commercial vehicles on the road, will continue to operate with paid volunteers. The status of production at FCA’s Mexican operations will be subject to a separate announcement.”

The company says it will continue to work collaboratively with the United UAW to expand upon the extensive program of cleaning and social distancing protocols that already have been implemented in all facilities to safeguard its employees.