California Cops Say Tesla Factory Must Shut Down

"Tesla is not an essential business as defined in the Alameda County Health Order."

I Fought the Law

As the coronavirus tears through California, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has — thus far — refused to shut down the electric automaker's Fremont factory in light of the global coronavirus pandemic.

But now area cops are pushing back, according to Electrek — setting up a potential showdown between Musk's company and the county sheriff.

"Tesla is not an essential business as defined in the Alameda County Health Order," reads a statement from the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. "Tesla can maintain minimum basic operations per the Alameda County Health Order."

And The Law Won

Musk has publicly downplayed the seriousness of the coronavirus outbreak, and echoed the same message in communications with Tesla and SpaceX staff.

His view contradicts that of most infectious disease experts, governments, and global health organizations — all of which currently advise taking sensible measures to minimize its spread, such as social distancing and frequent hand-washing, in order to avoid overloading hospital systems with sick patients.

The news that the Alameda cops are moving to shut down operations at Tesla's California factory were met with a sharp downturn in the company's stock price.

READ MORE: Sheriff: Tesla not an ‘essential business,’ factory must obey coronavirus shutdown order [Electrek]

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