Tesla not given permission to restart production in California, county says

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday declared manufacturing could begin reopening in the state as soon as Friday despite the coronavirus pandemic, and it appeared  Tesla CEO Elon Musk wouldn't wait a day longer. However, word from local officials suggests the automaker will need to wait longer.

Reuters reported Friday after viewing an email Musk sent to employees that its sole US production plant in Fremont, California, will reopen Friday afternoon. According to the email, operations will restart with 30% staff levels per shift and Musk added it won't be a requirement for those who feel uncomfortable about returning to work just yet.

On Twitter, Musk declared his support for Gov. Newsom's order in a tweet. The CEO has previously been outspoken about stay-at-home orders, going as far as to call them "fascist."

But, the back-and-forth kicked in again Friday evening. Reuters reported that the Alameda County Public Health Department has not given Tesla the "green light" to restart production. Alameda County Health Officer Erica Pan told the publication the county has not said it's "appropriate to move forward" just yet and added officials are working with the automaker.

The health department did not immediately return Roadshow's request for comment. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.

The automaker shut down its plant in Fremont on March 24 after mounting criticism and apparent confusion between local, state and federal orders. Since then, Tesla has only operated its plant in Shanghai, though on Thursday that plant also reportedly went offline due to component shortages.

We could be in for more confusion as Alameda County, where Tesla's plant resides, is scheduled to remain under a stay-at-home order through the end of May. The company shuttered its factory just as it began to ramp up Model Y deliveries across the US.

Read more: The automakers returning to work: FCA, Ferrari, Ford and more

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Update, 1:15 p.m. PT: Adds information from Alameda County Health Department.