Read the memo holding company IPG just sent staff saying that it will keep all offices open amid coronavirus outbreak

• As the coronavirus impacts workplaces around the world, Michael Roth, CEO of ad agency holding company IPG, sent a memo to all 55,000 employees saying all its offices will stay open for business, though employees can ask managers to work from home.
• Roth encouraged staff to take steps to comply with local regulations and minimize risk, such as avoiding large meetings and staggering work schedules.
• The update came after one of IPG's agencies, Weber Shandwick, confirmed that two employees at its New York headquarters had been exposed to someone who later tested positive for the virus.
• Other ad holding companies, including Omnicom, Publicis, and Dentsu, have closed offices due to confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus and having people work remotely. WPP is now allowing employees to work remotely.
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With the coronavirus spreading, ad holding company IPG sent a memo to employees saying all of its offices at its 100-plus agencies, most of which are in the US, will stay open.

The company has about 55,000 employees around the world at agencies including McCann, Deutsch, and PR firm Weber Shandwick.

The update arrived after Weber Shandwick confirmed that two employees at its New York headquarters had been exposed to someone who later tested positive for the virus.

CEO Michael Roth's full memo is printed below.

As for other holding companies, WPP also is remaining open while letting employees work remotely. Omnicom, Publicis, and Dentsu have closed offices due to confirmed or suspected cases of coronavirus and had staff work remotely.

All IPG offices will remain open, though CEO Michael Roth recommended several steps to minimize risk

Roth encouraged regional leadership to follow local guidelines as they're updated and take additional steps so the offices can operate "with lower population density," such as staggering work schedules or discouraging meetings of 10 people or more.

He also said employees who want to work from home should approach managers and that most major business units have already conducted remote work tests, as ad agency R/GA did on Wednesday.

Read the full memo below.