Hubei’s quarantine measures, along with temporary closures of factories across the country, caused China’s economy to come to a standstill but authorities have encouraged firms to resume work nationwide in recent weeks. Wuhan firms that are key to “global industrial chains” may do so as well, after getting approval, the government added. Other companies are expected to resume production only after March 20. Japanese carmaker Honda said on Wednesday that some of its staff have started going to work in its Wuhan plant. Nissan, another Japanese automaker, told AFP its Xiangyang plant in Hubei province and Zhengzhou plant in the neighbouring Henan province have “started preparations to restart operations this week”.

Source: The Express Tribune March 11, 2020 11:37 UTC