MCX staffer dies, 9 others coronavirus test positive

Mumbai: A 36-year-old staffer of the Multi Commodity Exchange has died of COVID-19, while nine others, who were part of a core team which helped ensure business continuity of the bourse during the lockdown, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, officials said on Saturday.

The staffer died on Monday and the nine colleagues who have tested positive were from a team of 30 which used to spend a fortnight at the commodity bourse's office in suburban Andheri by rotation since the lockdown was announced in March, the officials said.

However, it was still unclear if the office has been sealed and if so, how is the exchange continuing with its operations.

A query sent to MCX remained unanswered.

The financial capital has turned into a hotspot of the coronavirus infection, accounting for nearly a fifth of the over 2 lakh positive cases in the country so far.

Financial institutions, especially systemically important ones like exchanges and regulators, have core teams to ensure operational continuity.

In the case of MCX, there were two teams of 30 people each mandated with ensuring business continuity out of the city office. They used to work from the office for two weeks by rotation, officials said.