COVID-19: No closure of Stock Exchanges amidst outbreak notifies SEBI

Last updated: 26 March 2020

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has clarified that stock exchanges and other essential capital and debt market services will remain operational during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown. This exemption is in line with the Ministry of Home Affairs' order, ensuring the continued functioning of these critical financial services for 21 days from March 25, 2020.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had issued an Order No. 40-3/2020-D dated March 24, 2020 in which various guidelines have been issued laying down the measures to be taken by the ministries and the departments of the Government of India, the State/ Union Territory Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities for containment of COVID-19 Epidemic in the country.

The Order inter alia provides that commercial and private establishment shall be closed down but that the capital and debt market service as notified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India shall be exempted from such closures.

Accordingly, the following entities providing the capital and debt market services are hereby notified –

Recognised Stock Exchanges, Recognised Clearing Corporations, Depositories,
Custodians, Mutual Funds,
Asset Management Companies, Stock Brokers,
Trading Members, Clearing Members, Depositories Participants,
Registrar and Share Transfer Agents, Credit Rating Agencies,
Debenture Trustees, Foreign Portfolio Investors, Portfolio Managers,
Alternative Investment Funds, Investment Advisers,
Any other entities and regulated activities as notified by SEBI.

The Head Office/ Regional Offices/ Local Offices of SEBI shall also function with minimum number of employees.

The undersigned in his capacity as the Chief General Manager, SEBI, hereby issues the above Notification with directions for strict implementation, which shall remain in force in all parts of the country for a period of 21 days, with effect from March 25, 2020.

Yours faithfully, Sd/-
Deepak Trivedi
Chief General Manager

Copy to:
All Recognised Stock Exchanges,
All Recognised Clearing Corporations, All Depositories,
All Custodians, All Mutual Funds,
All Asset Management Companies, All Stock Brokers,
All Trading Members, All Clearing Members,
All Depositories Participants,
All Registrar and Share Transfer Agents, All Credit Rating Agencies,
All Debenture Trustees,
All Foreign Portfolio Investors, All Portfolio Managers,
All Alternative Investment Funds, All Investment Advisers.

FAQ :

No, stock exchanges are exempt from closure orders and will remain open during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Recognised Stock Exchanges, Clearing Corporations, Depositories, Custodians, Mutual Funds, Asset Management Companies, Stock Brokers, Trading Members, Clearing Members, Depositories Participants, Registrar and Share Transfer Agents, Credit Rating Agencies, Debenture Trustees, Foreign Portfolio Investors, Portfolio Managers, Alternative Investment Funds, and Investment Advisers are exempt.

The exemption is notified by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) based on an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The exemptions will remain in force for a period of 21 days, starting from March 25, 2020.