Dear Getty Community,

As we have expected, the coronavirus situation continues to evolve rapidly. You may have heard that there is an imminent announcement that the Bay Area counties are going to a shutdown, meaning that only essential businesses will remain open and all other residents are asked to stay at home and shelter in place for the next three weeks, until April 7. Grocery stores and essential services will remain open and residents are urged not to rush to purchase food. They are urging everyone to remain calm.

The formal Bay Area order is expected to be announced this afternoon with full details. Please watch for the news reports, but here is one of the first news stories: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-03-16/nine-san-francisco-bay-area-counties-ordered-to-shelter-in-place

We are anticipating that this latest order in Northern California will soon be in effect in Southern California and the rest of the state. The pattern so far has been that Los Angeles public health authorities follow the Bay Area actions within a day or two.

As a result, we are asking virtually all Getty employees to prepare to work from home beginning tomorrow, Tuesday. If you are uncertain your status, please contact your supervisor. We will be transitioning now to a circumstance where very few Getty employees will remain on site, only those responsible for critical facilities and security operations.

We know that many of you wanted to take more time to organize your work. We are sorry for the shortened time frame, but we are working to anticipate evolving events. If you are on site and making preparations today, please plan to take home with you what you will need to work remotely for the next several weeks or longer. We are aware that a number of employees are still waiting for laptops. Laptops have been in short supply. We will make plans to supply you with laptops as they become available, either having them delivered to you at home or, if you are able, you will be able to pick them up.

We will continue to keep you updated as we get further details later this afternoon, but wanted to allow everyone presently working on site as much time to prepare as possible.