Boeing reopening Puget Sound operations, with 27,000 heading back to work

Boeing will start production at Puget Sound sites again next week after the coronavirus temporary shut facilities down, the company announced Thursday.

Over the past month, Boeing had suspended operations at Puget Sound-region facilities in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Production stopped March 25 and was originally planned for 14 days, McClatchy News reported.

At the time, there were 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus among Boeing employees in Washington, according to McClatchy News. Seventeen of the cases were in Everett, five in Renton, one in Auburn and one in Longacres.

The decision to restart operations will put 27,000 people in the Puget Sound area back to work, according to a company news release.

“Approximately 27,000 people in the Puget Sound area will return to production of the 747, 767, 777 and 787 programs, supporting critical global transportation infrastructure, cargo services and national defense and security missions,” the news release said. “The 737 program will resume working toward restarting production of the 737 MAX. Boeing South Carolina remains in a suspension of operations at this time. Earlier this week Boeing restarted mostly defense production operations in the region with approximately 2,500 people.”

Other employees for the 737, 747, 767 and 777 programs could return as early as April 20. Employees for the 787 program will return April 23, according to the company release.

The company is taking several steps to make sure returning to work is safe for all employees, including practicing physical distancing. Other practices include staggering shift start times, wearing face coverings, asking employees to perform “self-health checks” before coming to work, and contact tracing when an employee tests positive for COVID-19.

“Enhanced measures will continue until conditions allow for a return to regular work and cleaning processes,” the company said. “Boeing will continue to monitor government guidance on COVID-19, assess impact on company operations and adjust plans as the situation evolves.”

This story was originally published April 16, 2020 at 3:44 PM.