Local officials allowing Tesla to restart California factory with conditions

Local officials in California announced on Wednesday that they will allow Elon MuskElon Reeve MuskMusk finds Trump in his corner On The Money: House Democrats unveil trillion coronavirus relief package | SCOTUS divided in Trump financial records case | Fed under pressure to speed up, expand emergency loans Hillicon Valley: House Dems include .6 billion for mail-in voting in stimulus bill | Uber in discussions to acquire GrubHub | Trump backs effort to reopen California Tesla plant MORE to reopen his Tesla factory during the coronavirus pandemic if specific safety conditions are met. 

The Alameda County Public Health Department said in a statement that it has approved Tesla’s plan to possibly reopen the Fremont plant as soon as next week if public health indicators regarding the virus remain stable or improve.

“We will be working with the Fremont Police Department to verify Tesla is adhering to physical distancing and that agreed upon health and safety measures are in place for the safety of their workers as they prepare for full production,” the department said.

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The development comes just days after the electric car company went against Alameda County and announced the reopening of the plant in defiance of orders meant to contain the spread of coronavirus. 

The move was a marked escalation from Musk, who has called stay-at-home orders “fascist” and likened restrictions to “forcibly imprisoning people in their homes.”

“I will be on the line with everyone else. If anyone is arrested, I ask that it only be me,” the Tesla CEO wrote in a tweet.

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Tesla’s Fremont, Calif., factory was shut down on March 23, shortly after California Gov. Gavin NewsomGavin Christopher NewsomMusk finds Trump in his corner Hillicon Valley: House Dems include .6 billion for mail-in voting in stimulus bill | Uber in discussions to acquire GrubHub | Trump backs effort to reopen California Tesla plant California State University system to cancel in-person classes for fall semester MORE (D) issued a statewide stay-at-home order.

The governor’s office on May 7 rolled out guidance for reopening the state’s manufacturing sector, but gave some local officials the option to keep some restrictions in place. Alameda County chose to keep the Tesla plant shuttered, with local officials saying they were negotiating with the company. 

On May 9, Tesla’s attorneys filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against Alameda County’s stay-at-home order.

The same day, Musk threatened more drastic actions and laid out plans to move the company out of California.

“Frankly, this is the final straw,” Musk said in tweet. “Tesla will now move its HQ and future programs to Texas/Nevada immediately. If we even retain Fremont manufacturing activity at all, it will be dependent on how Tesla is treated in the future.”

“Tesla is the last carmaker left in CA,” he added.

California Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez (D) responded to the post by tweeting “F*ck Elon Musk.”

Musk and his ultimatum has received support from President Trump and Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinMusk finds Trump in his corner OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House coronavirus bill aims to prevent utility shutoffs | Court sides with California, blocking Trump’s water diversion | Conservation groups file new suit over Trump border wall Energy chief said administration asked Fed to expand lending for oil companies MORE, with the Treasury secretary saying the state “should prioritize doing whatever they need to do to solve those health issues so that he can open quickly and safely.” 

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