{"id":39934,"date":"2020-03-16T21:26:36","date_gmt":"2020-03-16T21:26:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/03\/16\/with-coronavirus-on-the-loose-us-shipyards-make-adjustments-but-keep-building\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:06:32","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:06:32","slug":"with-coronavirus-on-the-loose-us-shipyards-make-adjustments-but-keep-building","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/coronavirus\/2020\/03\/16\/with-coronavirus-on-the-loose-us-shipyards-make-adjustments-but-keep-building\/","title":{"rendered":"With coronavirus on the loose, US shipyards make adjustments but keep building"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 U.S. shipyards are adjusting to meet the new coronavirus threat, but work continues across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the wake of news that Fincantieri\u2019s shipyards in Italy has suspended operations<\/a> for two weeks to help stem the spread of the illness, US shipyards have responded with more modest changes: suspending international travel, limiting domestic travel and suspending participation in conferences and trade shows for shipyard employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yards are also changing leave policies to allow workers time to adjust to restrictions that have closed schools and businesses across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While to date the changes have been minor, several company officials told Defense News that the situation was evolving and more could be coming down the pike as the government responds to the unfolding crisis that has rocked the country over the past week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Huntington Ingalls Industries<\/a>\u2019 president and CEO Mike Petters addressed employees in a video message posted to the company\u2019s website Monday. Peters said he is meeting regularly with division leadership and the company has posted links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which he urged employees to check for the most accurate information.<\/p>\n\n\n\t