Coronavirus prompts American tech giants to close shops and put off travel to China
Google, Facebook and Apple outline employee measures as Tesla closes its Gigafactory amid the China coronavirus outbreak
As the new coronavirus claims more victims in China, tech companies around the world are suspending business in the country.
Google confirmed to us that it’s temporarily closing down all its offices in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. While many of its popular services are blocked in mainland China, the US search giant still maintains offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to support its global advertising business, among other functions.
The story of China’s Great Firewall, the world’s most sophisticated censorship system
The company is also restricting business air travel to mainland China and Hong Kong for employees. Those who have already arrived in China are advised to return home as soon as possible and work remotely for at least 14 days.
Facebook also told us that it asked all employees to suspend non-essential travel to mainland China, in line with guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Workers who recently traveled to China are also told to work from home.