Animation Research managing director Ian Taylor flew to Florida in the US on Wednesday for the TPC Sawgrass golf tournament, but made the decision to return almost immediately and self-quarantine in the wake of Covid-19.
His company is a provider of computer graphics for sporting events and is the main provider for golfing events.
Mr Taylor was on his way home less than 48 hours after arriving.
"We saw an incredible shift while over there."
Eight staff and Mr Taylor returned to Dunedin as the company decided the risks outweighed the benefits of being overseas.
Arriving back on Saturday, Mr Taylor said the group had decided for the safety of those around them to self-isolate upon their return.
"We watched things coming apart really quickly over there, I don’t want to see the same thing happen here."
Two of the returning staff were supposed to remain overseas for the next seven to eight months.
A house had been booked in Wakari for the next two weeks, where four of the staff would stay.
The others were in self-isolation alone in their own homes.
His company was lucky they were well-equipped to work remotely, he said.
"We are well set-up."
The best way to fight Covid-19 was to act as though you have it, he said.
"No-one in this team is going to work for two weeks, we’re staying away from home in alternative accommodation.
"We don’t want to see what has happened overseas come here, so this is us doing our part to prevent the spread."
Animation Research was meant to be doing graphics for an America’s Cup regatta in Italy, which has been cancelled.
"We’ve lost probably a couple of million dollars, we’re looking at how we can deal with that.
"But people are far more important."
