Bayer became the first major New Jersey employer to recommend its employees work from home due to the coronavirus risk, essentially closing its main campus in Whippany and secondary site in Morristown on Tuesday.
Both locations will be closed Wednesday and until further notice. Approximately 2,300 employees are impacted.
The company stressed it is taking the measure as a precaution and there are no known cases of COVID-19 connected to the locations. In fact, there are no known cases in Morris County as of Tuesday afternoon.
The company notified its employees Monday. It is unclear how long they will be asked to work remotely.
Company spokesperson Daniel Childs, director, U.S. external communications, stressed the proactive position of the company.
“We take the risk of the coronavirus seriously and are taking all necessary measures to keep our employees and neighbors safe,” he said. “The primary goal is to ensure the health and safety of our employees, but at the same time to act with reason and judgment.
“In light of this, Bayer has temporarily closed its campuses in Whippany and Morristown in order to implement additional cleaning measures in common areas as a proactive measure and out of an abundance of caution.
“Bayer is also working in close consultation with state health officials. To be clear, Bayer has received no indication at this time that any employee has been confirmed to be infected with coronavirus.”
