CME Can’t Guarantee Trader Safety When Chicago Floor Reopens

  • Floor traders will need to sign a waiver, accept risks: CEO
  • Earliest floor will open is three weeks after lockdown ends
Traders close out business on the floor of CME’s Chicago Board of Trade in 2013.Photographer: Tim Boyle/Bloomberg
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CME Group Inc. said it can’t guarantee the safety of workers using its options-trading floor when Chicago pits reopen.

Social distancing isn’t possible in open outcry trading environments and, as a result, the exchange will require anyone willing to resume trading on the floor to sign a waiver accepting the risks of catching the coronavirus, Chief Executive Officer Terry Duffy said at a shareholder meeting Wednesday.