NTN Driveshaft in Columbus is extending its temporary shutdown to April 13 and announced an employee on its West Plant Assembly Line has tested positive for COVID-19.
The company has been on the temporary shutdown since March 24.
NTN Driveshaft were told Saturday that one of its West Plant Assembly Line employees tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after displaying symptoms on March 25th (the day after the shutdown), said Barry Parkhurst, vice president and chief financial officer for NTN Driveshaft.
The company contacted the Bartholomew County Health Department and its Corporate Employee Health and Safety Team, Parkhurst said.
The company identified a number of employees who may have come in close contact with the individual prior to the shutdown. Those employees were provided health and safety protocols as recommended by the county health department.
Parkhurst said NTN’s West Plant will be sanitized and deep cleaned, including evaluation by a third-party industrial hygiene consultant. Particular attention will be paid to both specific work areas and all common employee areas, he said.
“The enhanced cleaning and sanitization measures are being implemented out of an abundance of caution in order to best protect our employees,” Parkhurst said. “We’re working closely with our Corporate Environment Health and Safety and Human Resources teams and the County Health Department to take the most appropriate actions regarding the health and safety of our employees.”
NTN has been on the shutdown as a result of its major automotive customers temporarily shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Parkhurst said.
At this time, NTN Driveshaft is planning to restart operations no earlier than Monday, April 13th, Parkhurst said.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
