Ford requires visitors to wear masks but unclear if Trump will comply
Reuters
Published May 19, 2020 03:20PM ET
Updated May 19, 2020 05:10PM ET
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (N:F) on Tuesday reiterated its policy that all visitors to its manufacturing plants must wear a mask but said the White House will ultimately decide if U.S. President Donald Trump will comply during a planned visit.
Trump plans to visit a Ford plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Thursday that is being used to manufacture ventilators. Ford issued a revised statement late on Tuesday that signaled it may allow Trump to violate a policy it spent weeks locking in to allow it to operate its plants safely.
Asked whether he will wear a mask when he visits Ford, Trump said that "where it's appropriate I would do it." The decision depends on the situation and if he "standing right next to everybody," he added.
"Our policy is that everyone wears PPE to prevent the spread of COVID-19," Ford spokeswoman Rachel McCleery said on Tuesday. "The White House has its own safety and testing policies in place and will make its own determination."
The company's policy handbook to address the coronavirus pandemic, released May 1, says flatly that face masks must be worn "at all times" at U.S. manufacturing plants by all employees and "all visitors."
McCleery said the company "shared all of Ford’s safety protocols, including our manufacturing playbook, employee pamphlet and self-assessment survey with the White House ahead of time and in preparation for this trip."
Last week, Trump toured a mask distribution center in Pennsylvania but did not wear a mask.
The United Auto Workers and the Detroit Three automakers held talks about safety protocols to allow for Monday's resumption of auto production.
Last month, Vice President Mike Pence wore a mask during a tour of a General Motors (NYSE:GM) plant in Indiana making ventilators, as did GM Chief Executive Mary Barra. But Barra told participants at a roundtable after a tour that they could remove their masks.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.