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Fortune 500 company Cummins is expanding travel restrictions for employees to include domestic business flights. The Indiana-based engine company is taking the precautionary measure as more cases of the coronavirus are being reported across the country.
The global company has been restricting international travel until the end of the month and had shut down production sites in China due to the coronavirus outbreaks.
Cummins external communications director Jon Mills says the company recently pulled out of a trade show in Las Vegas in response to the spread of the virus.
“We’re asking them unless it’s absolutely critical, from a business perspective, then don’t get on commercial airline travel,” says Mills. “You know same, we’re asking people not to engage in large meetings or trade shows or conferences. Just don’t do it if you don’t have to.”
READ MORE: What Do You Need To Know About Coronavirus? We’ve Got Answers.
He says it’s too soon to tell how much of a financial hit the company might take due to the virus, but employee safety is the top priority.
“There’s definitely a balance to it and as we alluded to in the last earnings call, you know we expect some moderate impact in Q1 and it’s really too early to determine what’s going to happen the rest of the year,” Mills says.
Earlier this week another major Indiana employer, Eli Lilly, encouraged workers to stay home rather than come to the office to do their jobs.
Mills says the company is encouraging employees to practice the same amount of caution as the company when it comes to spring break plans and personal travel.
Contact Samantha at shorton@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @SamHorton5.
This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.
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