Snapchat suspends partner summit, asks employees to work from home amid coronavirus outbreak

A number of other companies including Google, Twitter and Amazon have encouraged their employees in some areas hit by coronavirus to work from home.

Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel has asked employees to work from home as coronavirus epidemic continues to maintain its grip around the world. (AP)

Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel has asked all employees to work from home and has postponed the company's planned partner summit.

The April 2 event for Snapchat developers, advertisers and creators before getting postponed was moved to an online-only presentation amid coronavirus fears, The Verge reported on Thursday.

"We don't feel like it would be appropriate to celebrate our partners in the midst of a global health crisis. I am so grateful for the tireless efforts and hard work of all of our team members working to make SPS possible - and I can't wait to share all of the amazing things we have created when the time is right," the report quoted Spiegel.

Snap's offices will remain open and the company is coordinating with team members in critical business functions who need to be in the office to ensure business continuity, while most workers staying home.

A number of other companies including Google, Twitter and Amazon have encouraged their employees in some areas hit by coronavirus to work from home.

The World Health Orgaziation (WHO) on Wednesday declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.

The virus has spread globally, infecting over 118,000 people and killing more than 4,000.