SEATTLE — Boeing is restarting production this week of commercial airplanes in the Seattle area, putting about 27,000 people back to work after operations were halted because of the coronavirus.

The aerospace giant says it is taking extra precautions and instituted comprehensive procedures at all of its sites to fight the spread of COVID-19. The new virus-slowing measures will include the use of face masks and other protective equipment, hand-washing sites, staggered shift times and employee wellness checks

Employees for the 737, 747, 767 and 777 airplanes were to return as early as Monday with most returning to work by Tuesday, officials said. Employees for the 787 program will return next Thursday and Friday.

Boeing’s shutdown went into effect March 25 after workers tested positive for the virus and a longtime inspector for the company died.

Boeing operates two commercial aviation production facilities in the Seattle area, one in Everett and another in Renton. Its Everett facility, north of Seattle, produces airplanes including 777s, 787s, 767s and 747s – along with the KC-46A military refueling and transport plane. Its plant in Renton, south of Seattle, produces the 737 line and military P-8s.

Boeing spokesman Bernard Choi said the workers will start by getting briefed about changes on the factory floor, where the company has put new social-distancing rules in place.

Choi said some airlines and cargo carriers are still taking delivery of new planes, and Boeing expects some operators to accelerate the retirement of older planes in place of newer, more fuel-efficient ones during the pandemic.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has deemed aerospace manufacturing an essential business, so the return to work doesn’t violate his stay-at-home directive affecting other businesses in the state.

“We expect that Boeing will undertake rigorous safety protocols as they move forward,” said Tara Lee, an Inslee spokesperson.

Boeing finances and reputation were in crisis before the pandemic hit. Its best-selling plane, the 737 Max, has been grounded for more than a year after two deadly crashes, and the companies faces investigations by the Justice Department and Congress and lawsuits filed by relatives of the passengers who were killed in the crashes.

A halt in Max deliveries since April 2019 has sharply reduced Boeing’s cash. Last year, Boeing posted its first annual loss in 20 years as costs from the Max disasters topped $18 billion.

President Donald Trump and Wall Street analysts have said they expect Boeing to seek some of the $17 billion set aside for defense companies in last month’s $2.2 trillion virus-relief package. Boeing said it is waiting for guidelines from the Treasury Department before deciding whether to seek a loan.