Nike temporarily closes European headquarters due to coronavirus case

Nike announced it has temporarily shut down its European headquarters in Hilversum, The Netherlands, as one its of workers tested positive for the coronavirus.

The headquarters is thought to employ some 2,000 international workers from 80 different nationalities.

According to Dutch news agency ANP, the Nike offices will be closed for two days for a ‘deep cleaning process’ to takes place. The global sportswear giant said that staff will be briefed on Tuesday afternoon about resuming work as normal. The infected employee is to be in quarantine at home for 14 days.

A security guard at the location told Reuters "The place is on lockdown."

Nike recently announced the temporary closure of half of its stores in China because of the epidemic.

The brand cut down its operating hours and is facing a decline in customer traffic and purchasing activity in retail stores that are currently open. The leading sports retailer expects the outbreak to have a negative material impact on its presence in China.

The coronavirus outbreak has affected a number of fashion brands and retailers so far with stock being stuck in the country and stores needing to be closed temporarily to protect staff and help halt the spread of the virus.