In sparse comments on workplace conditions, however, national health officials have urged that high-risk areas should be much more narrowly defined, while production or business operations continue elsewhere. As he stockpiles medicines against such an eventuality, he has told staff to follow new guidelines to stay home if they got infected, in which case he plans to pay them half their wages. To avoid disruption from any infections, Yang initially considered shutting the factory early ahead of the Lunar New Year, but ultimately set aside that option. In Beijing, some state firms and banks are grouping staff into teams to ensure work continues despite any outbreak, sources told Reuters. "I am confident it will be a mess for about 3 months," saidthe firm's executive vice president, Renaud Anjoran.

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