US retailers with production in China are still trying to assess the effect of the coronavirus on their supply chains.

Many plants and factories were already closed for the Lunar New Year, so companies are considering keeping some closed while the outbreak continues, according to Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation.

The National Retail Federation has been in touch with the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs & Border Protection who report they have not experienced any disruption in shipping and supply routes thus far.

US retailers are prepared for these types of scenarios, according to Gold. Retailers spend time and money on contingency plans for pandemics such as SARS and the coronavirus, and can move quickly to put alternative plans in place. However, they “are waiting to see what their response should be,” he said.

What may happen in the future: One factor that will effect those contingency plans include a major shutdown in air travel, which would halt the transportation of cargo, Gold said. US retailers are in constant contact with vendors, but are in the “wait and see period.”

Gold points out that retail is not just impacted on the supply chain side, but that a slowdown in tourism from China could affect US retailers.