(Yicai Global) Feb. 18 -- BMW's biggest factory on the planet, in Liaoning province, China, has resumed production as the German carmaker looks to get back to business after closing down manufacturing due to the recent novel coronavirus outbreak.

Nearly 20,000 workers, including employees of suppliers, are back at the facility in Shenyang, Xinhua News Agency reported. The company has set aside masks and other protective gear for employees with help from its joint venture partner Brilliance Group and the city government, and plans to buy more to protect its staff, the report added.

"The local government has provided support policies for logistics, employee transport and new projects to ensure the move back to work goes smoothly despite the crisis," said Dai Hexuan, senior vice president of technology and production at BMW Brilliance Automotive.

BMW has equipped the factory entrance with automatic thermometers and disinfectants, and is staggering staff lunch breaks. It has also put transparent panels between dining tables to prevent employees from getting too close to each other.

The Munich-based auto giant has invested more than CNY52 billion (USD7.4 billion) in Shenyang to build two vehicle factories, a powertrain plant, and a research and development center, and can make 500,000 cars a year at the facility.

Editor: James Boynton