Embraer sent its employees in Brazil home on paid leave through March 31 as it attempts to protect the well-being of its employees during the Covid-19 pandemic, the company said this week. Others who are able to and already working remotely will continue in their duties. The airframer has about 16,000 employees in Brazil, about half of whom had been working remotely.

The measure applies only to Brazil and not to the company's international locations, including its Phenom assembly facility in Melbourne, Florida. Embraer employs approximately 2,500 in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Those sites have been operating according to the direction of local authorities, Embraer said, but also noted it is evaluating the situation in other countries. 

Embraer added management is analyzing the situation overall and “and, together with local government and union representatives, [will] make the most adequate decision to protect its employees from the coronavirus contagion and, at the same time, protect its business, in a manner in which all parties will suffer the least impact possible.”

The company said only its “essential activities” remain in operation in Brazil.