The company had also asked its Vancouver-based corporate office employees to work from home.

Sabina said no Covid-19 cases had been reported among its employees, however, since the Goose site was only accessible by air medical support and isolation measures for any employees or contractors with symptoms could be problematic.

Sabina said it would also slow project development activities until the environment "becomes more stable and better information becomes available".

"We are simply following advice from federal, provincial and territorial health authorities to do our part to flatten the curve of this virus. In addition, in times like these, people need to be with their families," said CEO Bruce McLeod.

"Delaying project development activities will not create any issues with existing permits or agreements, as we have a great deal of flexibility on the timeline of future development of the Back River gold project," McLeod said, adding the project remained "well funded".

The company's shares (SBB:TSX) gained as the TSX rebounded above the four-year low on Tuesday, closing 16.5% higher at C99c, which gives it a market value of $294 million (US$207 million).