DETROIT - The United Auto Workers’ request for temporary factory shutdowns as the country faces the coronavirus pandemic was denied by Detroit’s Big 3 automakers.

The request was for a two-week shut down of Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler factories, said UAW President Rory Gamble in an email to members that has been shared on social media. The companies are “not willing to implement this request,” he said. They asked for 48 hours to create safety plans - that window expires Tuesday afternoon. They will meet this evening to discuss plans.

If UAW leadership is not satisfied with the plans to protect workers, their families and their communities from the coronavirus outbreak, they “will take this conversation to the next level” and “will use and and all measures to protect our brothers and sisters.”

UAW leadership expects Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., to be supportive of their efforts, Gamble said.

A week ago today, Whitmer declared a state of emergency after Michigan confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus disease COVID-19. As of Monday evening, the state had 54 confirmed coronavirus cases.

The governor has ordered all K-12 schools closed; banned dine-in service for bars and restaurants; closed fitness centers, movie theaters and other entertainment and recreational venues, and banned gatherings of over 50 people. Many businesses, government offices and social service centers also are shutting down. The federal government has asked people yesterday to avoid groups of more than 10 people for the next two weeks.

More than 1,100 Michigan cases are currently being monitored or referred for coronavirus testing, according to state’s coronavirus case tracking website.

PREVENTION TIPS

Michigan’s State Emergency Operations Center is coordinating state-government resources and the response to the coronavirus spread. It has shared the following tips:

What you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases:

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