Coronavirus Impact

Microsoft company is advising its employee to work from home and cancel all non-essential business travel until Feb. 9 based “on the evaluation of risk communicated by global health authorities.” Spokesman for Microsoft said “The health and safety of our employees and their families is a top priority,”

Google is also temporarily closing its China offices and restricting travel amid the outbreak of the coronavirus. The shutdowns will affect Google’s offices in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The company has also placed temporary travel restrictions on workers flying to China and Hong Kong. Google has at least four offices in China’s mainland and five in Taiwan, according to its website.

France has confirmed a fifth case of the coronavirus — the daughter of an 80-year old man already hospitalized with the disease, according to French health minister Agnes Buzyn.