Virgin to invest US$250mil to save jobs after virus outbreak

"Our airlines have had to ground almost all their planes; our cruise line has had to postpone its launch; our health clubs and hotels have had to close their doors and all bookings to our holiday company have stopped", he added. Virgin companies employ more than 70,000 people across 35 countries.

British entrepreneur Richard Branson said on Sunday companies in his Virgin empire will be investing $250 million in coming weeks and months to save jobs from the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

"Because many of our businesses are in industries like travel, leisure and wellness, they are in a massive battle to survive and save jobs", Branson wrote in a blog. He didn't say if the $250 million just represented salaries of furloughed staff.