COVID-19 Forces Tech Companies to Take Measures

COVID-19 will not give rest to big tech companies. This week, Philip Jansen, CEO of British telecom giant BT, become the first chief executive of a major firm to come down with COVID-19. He tested positive and is now in isolation, although he feels fine enough to continue leading the company. BT says it is now deep-cleaning its group headquarters and Jansen has notified industry partners with whom he recently met, reported Sky News. 

On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that many Airbnb customers are upset they have not been able to get refunds for trip cancellations related to COVID-19. Airbnb has extended its existing refund policy to make exceptions for travelers in mainland China, Italy and South Korea. Many other guests have been left to plead with hosts for understanding. According to Bloomberg, Airbnb is entering a period where its business will be drastically affected. Meanwhile, its investors are eager to hear whether the company will try to go public as it had planned this year, despite the market chaos and a global pandemic.

Last week Facebook told its employees in San Francisco to work from home, as did Microsoft with employees in the California Bay Area. 

More news below:

• Apple reopened its 42 branded stores in China, after shutting them down in early February due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Oracle beat estimates by a penny with an adjusted quarterly profit of 97 cents per share, slightly above analyst forecasts. Results got a boost from growth in Oracle's cloud business.

• Uber drove into healthcare policy. The ride-sharing giant said it could suspend accounts of drivers and passengers who have tested positive for coronavirus or have potentially been exposed to it.