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New York Stock Exchange to Require Vaccine on Trading Floors

New York Stock Exchange Requires Vaccine on Trading Floors

The New York Stock Exchange will require Covid-19 vaccines for everyone entering its trading floors, joining the ranks of firms taking a more cautious approach amid a new wave of coronavirus cases.

The mandate is set to take effect Sept. 13, Chief Operating Officer Michael Blaugrund said Wednesday in a memo seen by Bloomberg. The policy covers anyone with access to the NYSE and American Options trading floors, including member firms, employees and vendors.

Some people may be granted an exception to the mandate for medical or religious reasons, according to the memo. Those who gain an exemption will have to present a negative test within 48 hours before entry, equivalent to three times a week. They’ll also have to be masked when on the floor, while masks for vaccinated employees remain optional, the memo shows.

A representative for NYSE declined to comment. CNBC reported earlier on the move.

Other Wall Street firms have delayed back-to-office plans or enforced vaccine mandates amid the surge in Covid-19 variants. Earlier this week Citigroup Inc. told employees in the New York area and several other major U.S. cities that they must be vaccinated before coming back to offices. This latest step by the NYSE and the other moves underscore the thorny path confronting the financial world eager to get people back at their desks while weighing surging virus numbers and employee health concerns.

NYSE will also expand its on-site Covid-19 testing effective immediately, Blaugrund said in the memo. Random testing applies to exchange members and NYSE employees who work on the trading floors. Unvaccinated employees who get an exemption will be responsible for sourcing their own tests off-site.

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