9 drugmakers banning employee travel during coronavirus outbreak

In response to the coronavirus outbreak, some drugmakers have implemented travel restrictions for their employees or requested that they work from home to try to minimize the spread. 

Nine drugmakers who have implemented travel restrictions: 

Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Drugmakers are listed in alphabetical order.

1. Amgen is suspending international business until April 17, as well as attendance at medical gatherings and other large events. The drugmaker is also enhancing cleaning procedures and visitor screening at all of its locations.
   
   
2. Biogen is asking all of its employees and contractors in Massachusetts, the Research Triangle Park in North Carolina and in Baar, Switzerland, to work from home until further notice. Several people have tested positive for coronavirus after attending a Biogen meeting in Boston at the end of February, according to CBS Boston. The drugmaker told all employees who attended the meeting and are symptomatic that they will be tested for COVID-19, and they must quarantine themselves. Employees who were at the meeting but aren't symptomatic are being asked to stay in quarantine until further notice, a spokesperson told Becker's Hospital Review.
   
   
3. Bristol Myers Squibb has restricted business travel and company meetings until the end of March. The restrictions apply to all employees, business partners, suppliers and vendors.
   
   
4.  Eli Lilly is asking its employees to work from home if they can, according to the Indianapolis Star. The drugmaker is also restricting domestic travel.
   
   
5. GlaxosmithKline has instructed its employees to postpone noncritical international business travel until further notice, a company spokesperson told Becker's.
   
   
6. Mylan is limiting employees' international travel and prohibiting travel to and from China, Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea, a spokesperson told Becker's. The drugmaker is asking its employees to minimize all business travel and consider alternatives to in-person meetings.
   
   
7. Roche is asking its employees to postpone all travel to China, including Hong Kong and Macau, until further notice, a spokesperson confirmed to Becker's. The drugmaker is also limiting business travel to and from Korea, Japan, Singapore, Iran and Italy to  business-critical activity only. Any employee returning from one of those areas must work from home for at least 14 days after they return.
   
   
8. Sanofi said it has a global crisis committee working to help prevent employee exposure to the virus while monitoring the potential impact on the company's activities. A company spokesperson confirmed to Becker's that it has requested employees and contractors to avoid travel in China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Iran and seven regions in Italy and has prohibited travel to Wuhan and throughout the Hubei province in China.
   
   
9. Takeda told Becker's it is strongly recommending that all employees work from home if possible, starting immediately. The drugmaker is also canceling all nonessential international and domestic travel other than by a private vehicle through May 31 as well as "strongly discouraging" any large gatherings through May 31.