PHNASA is keeping watch for more potential impacts the new coronavirus may have on the U.S. space program after one of the agency's research centers had to send employees home this week after a case, according to the agency's chief Jim Bridenstine.
"As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves, we'll continue to closely monitor and coordinate with federal, state, and community officials to take any further appropriate steps to help safeguard the NASA family," Bridenstine said in a statement Monday (March 9), one day after an employee at the agency's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley tested positive for the coronavirus.
On Monday, NASA ordered all but the most essential employees at the Ames Research Center (which is located at Moffett Field) to work from home, with the center itself placed on restricted access. The center will remain in that work-from-home condition through at least Friday (March 13), Ames officials said in an update today (March 11). All work-related travel is also cancelled for the week, they said.
"On Sunday, March 8, we received confirmation an employee at NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We believe the exposure at the center has been limited, but — out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with Ames' Center Director Eugene Tu, NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr. J.D. Polk, and in accordance to agency response plan — Ames Research Center is temporarily on mandatory telework status with restricted access to the center until further notice.
"As the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves, we'll continue to closely monitor and coordinate with federal, state, and community officials to take any further appropriate steps to help safeguard the NASA family," Bridenstine said in a statement Monday (March 9), one day after an employee at the agency's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley tested positive for the coronavirus.
On Monday, NASA ordered all but the most essential employees at the Ames Research Center (which is located at Moffett Field) to work from home, with the center itself placed on restricted access. The center will remain in that work-from-home condition through at least Friday (March 13), Ames officials said in an update today (March 11). All work-related travel is also cancelled for the week, they said.
"On Sunday, March 8, we received confirmation an employee at NASA's Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). We believe the exposure at the center has been limited, but — out of an abundance of caution, and in consultation with Ames' Center Director Eugene Tu, NASA Chief Health and Medical Officer Dr. J.D. Polk, and in accordance to agency response plan — Ames Research Center is temporarily on mandatory telework status with restricted access to the center until further notice.