# shuts down corporate travel due to # / #; also, the Louvre closes [1]

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5:37 pm: Twitter halts all non-critical business travel and events

Twitter has joined a growing list of companies that have suspended business travel and events amid concerns about the spreading coronavirus outbreak.

The social media company said it has halted non-critical travel effective immediately until the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control clear companies to step back from pandemic precautionary measures, or when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available.

"Our goal is to reduce the risk that anyone at Twitter might contract or inadvertently spread the virus," said Jennifer Christie, head of human resources at Twitter. "It is important that we take these proactive steps to protect ourselves and others and minimize the spread of COVID-19." -- Kimball

5:26 pm: France's Louvre Museum closed

The spreading coronavirus epidemic shut down France's Louvre Museum on Sunday, with workers who guard its famous trove of artworks fearful of being contaminated by the museum's flow of tourists from around the world.

Almost three-quarters of the Louvre's 9.6 million visitors last year came from abroad. The world's most popular museum welcomes tens of thousands of fans daily in Paris.

"We are very worried because we have visitors from everywhere," said Andre Sacristin, a Louvre employee and union representative.

"The risk is very, very, very great," he said in a phone interview. While there are no known virus infections among the museum's 2,300 workers, "it's only a question of time," he said.

A short statement from the Louvre said a staff meeting about virus prevention efforts stopped the museum from opening as scheduled Sunday morning. -- Associated Press

[1] https://nu.federati.net/url/264703 [cnbc]