Pandemic on Dalal street as Sensex crashes by 3,090 points, trading halted for 45 minutes

The domestic stock market continued to be in the bear phase with the BSE Sensex opening 2,400points lower after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus as a global pandemic. Broader Nifty opened 755.45 points lower on Friday.

At 9:30am, the S&P BSE Sensex was down over 3,090.62 points, or 9.43%, at 29,687.52levels. The NSE Nifty too cracked 966.10 points, or 10.07%, to 8,624.05.

The stock market trading has been halted for 45 minutesfor the first time since May 2008.

Yesterday, the Indian equity markets witnessed their steepest one-day fall in absolute terms as risk-sentiment took a hit after the WHO declared the COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic.

Meanwhile, the rupeehit a fresh record low of 74.48 against the US dollar following sharp sell-off in domestic equities and strength in the greenback against its major crosses.