The European Central Bank (ECB) has asked the majority of its 3,500 staff in Frankfurt to work from home in order to measure its coronavirus (COVID-19) preparations.
The ECB is keen to test how it could deal with a shutdown over rising coronavirus concerns.
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“The ECB has facilities in place for large scale remote working and Monday 9 March will serve as a precautionary test for the infrastructure but also for ECB staff in case such large scale usage of the facilities becomes necessary at some point,” a spokesperson of the ECB said.
Last week, the central bank called almost all its public events over the next month.
However, its rate-setting Governing Council meeting went off as per schedule last Thursday.
Furthermore, Virgin Money closed floor of Gosforth office in the UK to carry out disinfection work after coronavirus alert.
The bank confirmed that the floor was closed as a member of staff’s partner came in contact with someone who has tested positive for the deadly coronavirus.
The floor houses approximately 100 members of staff.
A spokesman for the bank said the decision to deep clean the area was “a precautionary measure”.
Last week, HSBC Bank sent more than 100 employees home after a worker from the research department tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Apart from HSBC, banking major UniCredit has also sent some staff home after two of its employees tested positive for the deadly virus.
Banks around the world are working to keep their business running amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Recently, JPMorgan Chase asked 10% of its staff to work from home and is currently moving traders in New York and London to other locations.
BBVA transferred almost 100 people from its trading floor in Madrid to a location outside the city.
Earlier this week, major American banks imposed restrictions on international travel immune its operations.
UAE banks have been urged to reschedule loans and slash fees and commissions to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.
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