Is it legal to lay off employees during the epidemic?

Legal analysis: It is illegal for companies to lay off employees during the epidemic.

Legal basis: Notice on Doing a Good Job in Labor Relations during the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia Infection in novel coronavirus. If an enterprise has difficulties in production and operation due to the epidemic, it can stabilize its post through salary adjustment, rotation, shortening working hours, etc. through consultation with employees, and try not to lay off employees or lay off fewer employees. Eligible enterprises can enjoy stable job subsidies according to regulations. "

Notice of the General Office of Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security on Properly Handling Labor Relations during the Prevention and Control of Pneumonia Infection in novel coronavirus: Enterprises and employees who are unable to provide normal labor due to isolation measures or other emergency measures taken by the government during the isolation treatment or medical observation of patients, suspected patients and close contacts infected with pneumonia in novel coronavirus shall pay their employees during this period, and shall not terminate their labor contracts according to the provisions of Articles 40 and 41 of the Labor Contract Law. During this period, if the labor contract expires, it shall be postponed to the medical treatment period, medical observation period, isolation period or the expiration of emergency measures taken by the government.