Swine Flu Travel Bans: See What Firms Are Doing

Companies are implementing travel restrictions in response to a potential flu pandemic that has claimed 149 lives in Mexico, and are poised to take more disruptive safety measures if necessary.

These are among the precautions being taken:

Nokia

"Yesterday we gave new travel instructions because of the swine flu. The new guidance is that all non-essential travel from and to Mexico should be postponed for the time being," said Finland's Nokia , the world's largest mobile handset maker, which employs 3,500 in Mexico, mostly at a plant in Reynosa.

Honda

Japan's No.2 automaker has suspended all global business travel until at least May 6 due to the outbreak. Honda , which has production facilities in Mexico, is considering sending Japanese families of expatriate workers home, although production was continuing as normal, a spokeswoman said.

Hon Hai

"We're limiting all non-essential travel to places that have seen cases of swine flu, and staff members returning from those areas will be quarantined for a period of time before being allowed to enter our factories and facilities," said Edmund Ding, a spokesman at the Taiwanese electronics parts firm.

Hon Hai, which makes and assembles components in Mexico for some of the world's biggest brand names such as HP and Dell , said it would close factories if called upon by government to stop the spread of infection.

Fresnillo

The world's largest primary silver producer has postponed all non-essential travel, a spokeswoman for the London-listed but Mexico-based firm said, though it had seen no cases among its staff of about 1,500, and no operations had been affected.

The firm, a unit of Mexico's Penoles, has a small head office in Mexico City, but the bulk of employees work at mines several hundred kilometers from the sites of the main outbreaks.

Adidas

The world's second-largest sporting goods maker has issued a travel alert and is only allowing employees to travel to Mexico if urgent. It has also sent an email to all staff explaining the symptoms of swine flu and giving instructions on what to do in a case of an emergency.

Swiss RE

"Employees who are travelling to Mexico in the near future are being advised to postpone their journey until further notice. Where travel is urgent and cannot be deferred, employees are advised to carefully read and follow the advice given by the World Health Organization," the Swiss reinsurer said.

Lufthansa

The German airline has not taken any concrete measures as yet, but executive board member Stefan Lauer said the company had prepared plans in close coordination with health officials in readiness for any worsening in the situation. "I expect that travel will be more restricted with regard to Mexico," he added.

Fraport

The German airport operator is looking at tightening checks at Frankfurt airport due to swine flu, but as yet there are no special precautions for passengers arriving from Mexico, it said.

Denso

The world's biggest listed auto parts maker said it has recommended families of its expatriate staff in Mexico return temporarily to Japan.

Samsung, LG Electronics

The South Korean electronics firms, which both have units in Mexico, said they were limiting travel to the country.

Thomson Reuters

The professional information provider has suspended travel to Mexico until further notice.

Woolworths

Top Australian supermarkets group Woolworths said it initially asked staff to cancel all non-essential overseas business travel but was rethinking that "because now all the advice is you can't contain it through lack of travel," Woolworths' spokeswoman Clare Buchanan said.

Drax Group

"As with all critical industries, we have a good emergency plan for the event that we do end up with a reduction of staff near-term because of an epidemic," said Dorothy Thompson, CEO of the operator of Britain's largest coal-fired power station.

Twentieth Century Fox

The American film production company has cancelled the premiere of "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" in Mexico City.

Starbucks

The international coffee seller has closed 10 Starbucks stores in Mexico City, mostly near shopping malls and universities, at the request of the Mexican government.

Home Depot

The hardware chain has no plans to close any Home Depot stores in Mexico at this time.

Lowes

Lowes reports that stores in areas affected by swine flu are seeing stronger sales of bleach, mops and other disinfectants.

Caterpillar

Heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar has restricted employees from traveling to Mexico without approval from high-ranking company officers.

PEMEX

Mexico's state-owned oil company continues production and distribution throughout country.

Royal Caribbean Cruises

So far, the cruiseline says there are no concerns regarding Mexican ports of call and no sailings have been altered.

For Investors:

• Slideshow: A Gallery of Medical Marijuana

Copyright 2009 Reuters. Click for restrictions.