Intel has ordered a halt to all workers’ business-related travel to China and other countries affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The chipmaker is not recalling workers already in those countries and described the indefinite travel suspension as “a precautionary measure.” Still, it’s another sign of how the virus is affecting commerce and threatening the global economy.

“Our top priority is the safety and wellbeing of our employees. We have not recalled workers, but we’re monitoring the situation closely and working to ensure that our employees in China and elsewhere have the information and resources they need to stay safe,” Intel said in a statement Wednesday.

Intel’s travel ban applies to China, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Italy. It took effect Tuesday and figures to be a substantial disruption to the chipmaker’s global operations.

Additionally, Intel asked that workers returning home from those countries avoid work at company sites for two weeks – and that workers with fever, cough or shortness of breath seek medical care and stay away from their office or factory.

Intel is Oregon’s largest corporate employer, with 20,000 workers at its campuses in Washington County. Its Oregon employees frequently travel to factories and offices around the world, and receive visits from their colleagues overseas.

The company has substantial operations in China, including two factories – as assembly and test facility in the western city of Chengdu and a memory chip factory in northern China. Neither are close to the center of the outbreak in central Hubei province.

Intel said billings to China accounted for 28% of its revenue last year.

Apple and many other technology companies have warned that the coronavirus outbreak has impacted production and demand for their products. Intel has not issued such an advisory, but the company’s stock price is down 7.6% this week – following the broader markets downward amid fears of a pandemic.

Nike closed stores in China earlier this month. The company did not respond to a question Wednesday about whether it is restricting employee travel.

Clark County laser manufacturer nLight Corp. – which has a factory in China and substantial sales there – said last week that it expects the virus’ impacts will cost it $8 million in revenue this quarter. Shares in nLight are down nearly 10% this week.

-- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699

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