BRATISLAVA -- Volkswagen Group is suspending production at a plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, that builds VW, Porsche, Audi, Skoda and Seat models, and Bentley components.
VW's move comes after Slovakia declared a state of emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Slovak Prime Minister Peter Pellegrinim said on Sunday that there was a potential coronavirus case at the VW plant, which is the county's largest private sector employer.
VW did not comment on whether that was the case.
"We hoped that the situation regarding the coronavirus would calm down over the weekend, but that did not happen," Volkswagen Slovakia Chairman of the Board Oliver Grunberg said in a statement, commenting on the general spread of the outbreak.
The Bratislava factory builds the Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg and Audi Q7 large SUVs, along with the VW Up, Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii minicars, and axles and floor platforms for the Bentley Bentayga.
Slovakia last week introduced border checks, stopped international travel to and from the country and closed schools, along with sport, leisure and entertainment centers.
The nation of 5.5 million has 61 confirmed coronavirus cases, up 17 from a day earlier. The country has reported no deaths.
Reuters contributed to this report
