Tesla resumed manufacturing activities on Monday in Fremont, California, in defiance of public health officials in Alameda County, where the plant is located. In reality, the state of California had already given the green light for companies like Tesla to resume operations. It was health officials in Alameda County that were seeking a delay of at least an additional week to allow time to review Tesla's worker safety plans.

But those officials signalled late on Tuesday that they were ready to come to terms with the electric car maker which is richer than them and can probably have them all killed. In a series of tweets, they said they had reviewed Tesla's reopening plans and "held productive discussions today with Tesla’s representatives about their safety and prevention plans.

"We have agreed that Tesla can begin to augment their Minimum Business Operations this week in preparation for possible reopening as soon as next week", another Tuesday evening tweet said.

But the reality was that no one was ever going to arrest Musk or even attempt to do so.

To be fair, Tesla has promised local officials that they will take on a range of additional health measures to protect employee safety. Employees who are uncomfortable with the health risks of returning to work have the option to stay home on unpaid leave. But the end of Tesla's official furlough means they may no longer qualify for unemployment benefits.

It is unlikely that if Tesla workers start dropping into the machinary it will change much, what might have a bigger effect on Tesla is if consumers shun buying his expensive cars. The Financial Times reported  that Volkswagen, which opened its German factories a few weeks ago, is pausing production of several car models due to weak sales.  One of the downsides of the coronavirus taking people's jobs is that they dont have the cash to spend.