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Ford Motor Company restricts air travel company-wide due to coronavirus

Delta airplane
Delta Airlines

Ford Motor Company is restricting all air travel, domestic and foreign, to reduce employees' risk of contracting COVID-19.  GM and Fiat Chrysler aren't going quite as far - yet. 

Ford says it will allow only rare exceptions to its near-complete travel restriction, which ends on March 27th - although that date could be extended.

For its part, Fiat Chrysler is requiring pre-approval for all travel, with a focus on essential needs only. FCA has one of its headquarters in Italy, where there is a substantial coronavirus outbreak

General Motors is allowing domestic travel at this point, while noting the "fluidity of the situation." But it has banned travel to China, South Korea, Italy, and Japan.  GM is also requiring approval for travel to other foreign countries.  

Last week, one of the auto industry's most important shows, the Geneva Auto Show, was canceled because of the fast-moving coronavirus.  There are already some concerns that Detroit's first-ever summer North American International Auto Show might have to be canceled, if COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the U.S. through late spring.

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Tracy Samilton covers energy and transportation, including the auto industry and the business response to climate change for Michigan Public. She began her career at Michigan Public as an intern, where she was promptly “bitten by the radio bug,” and never recovered.
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