State Farm has suspended all non-essential business travel through the end of March as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus.
COVID-19 has afflicted more than 90,000 people worldwide, including more than 100 people in the United States. Illinois is among 15 states that has at least one confirmed coronavirus case.
State Farm spokesperson Gina Morss-Fischer said the insurer for now is limiting its travel to essential services, including its catastrophe response in Nashville, Tenn., where a tornado on Monday caused at least 22 deaths.
“We believe this step will help keep our associates healthy and limit exposure across the country,” Morss-Fischer said.
She said State Farm is also cleaning common surfaces more frequently, including door handles, elevator buttons, escalator rails, vending machines and bathroom surfaces.
“As with any evolving situation, we continue to monitor the situation and adjust as needed,” Morss-Fischer said.
Illinois State University officials on Monday urged its students studying abroad in Italy and Japan to come home to prevent the spread of the communicable virus.
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