AKRON, Ohio -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has suspended manufacturing operations in North, Central and South America due to the decline in demand resulting from the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus, the Akron-based company announced Wednesday.

Goodyear expects its tire, retread and chemical plants in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and the United States to be shut down over the next few days, and will be closed through at least April 3. Its facility in Peru closed earlier this week.

In a news release, the company said it will monitor the spread of COVID-19 in areas around its warehouses and distribution operations. Based on inventory and supply levels, it will continue delivering Goodyear products to available markets.

Goodyear said it is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and has introduced preventative measures, including limiting visitor access and business travel, implementing remote working and social-distancing practices and increasing the frequency of disinfection.

In February, Goodyear closed its Shanghai headquarters and manufacturing plant in Pulandian, China, due to the coronavirus.

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