NYSE transitions to e-trading after two confirmed coronavirus cases

The New York Stock Exchange is set to close its trading floors and transition to electronic trading for the mean time after an employee and a trader tested positive for COVID-19.

The two were last in the building on March 13, said NYSE owner Intercontinental Exchange Inc.

NYSE is set to close some of its facilities, including equities and American options trading floors in New York and the Arca options trading floor in San Francisco.

Despite the operational change, the company assured that trading and regulatory supervision of all securities listed in the NYSE will not be disrupted.

NYSE President Stacey Cunningham said that markets are capable of operating fully electronic and that the set up will continue until the trading floors are ready to be reopened. 

Intercontinental Chief Operating Officer Michael Blaugrund told staff who were feeling “mildly ill” to stay at home. 

The death toll of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States has risen to more than 100, causing panic among people and businesses and forcing the government to take drastic measures to stop the spread.