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The stock trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange reopened on Tuesday, though at a reduced head count in order to allow space for social distancing measures to remain in force. The governor rang the opening bell to mark the start of trading at 9:30 a.m.
Floor brokers and trading floor officials will be allowed back, while designated market makers — the specialist traders who buy and sell in order to “make markets” in certain securities — will continue to operate remotely.
Those who are returning must comply with a number of restrictions to regain access to the floor including avoiding public transportation, submitting to temperature checks upon entry and wearing a face mask. They will also be expected to maintain a six-foot social distance and avoid physical contact such as shaking hands.
The ability to trade electronically muted the market impact of the more than two-month shuttering of the trading floor, one of the most significant disruptions to the floor operations of the exchange since 1914, when it was closed for about four months as the United States entered World War I.
The S & P 500 rose more than 2 percent in early trading, with shares of companies most likely to benefit from the lifting of restrictions on travel and commerce faring well. Shares of Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and other big carriers rose, as did Marriott International. Shares in Europe and Asia were also higher on Tuesday.
Oil prices, which have been climbing all month, continued their rebound as the restarting of factories and resumption of travel has raised expectations that demand will rise. West Texas intermediate crude rose 3 percent, and shares of companies in the energy industry, like Chevron and Halliburton, were also higher.
It’s been a turbulent period for stocks, with the S & P 500 swinging from gains to losses and back each day last week, as expectations for an eventual recovery from the pandemic have squared off against the reality that the damage is still severe and likely to continue for some time.
News of progress on vaccine development — albeit in early stages and on a small scale — has been one factor fueling the gains, and the reopening of businesses has been another.
Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, expressed optimism Tuesday that the economy would recover later in the year despite what he called a “very bad, very difficult” employment situation in the wake of the country’s monthslong shutdown.
“I think there’s grounds for optimism. Hope and prayer plays a role,” Mr. Kudlow told reporters at the White House. “We’ve been through bloody hell on this, we know that. There’s been a lot of hardship and heartbreak.”
But Mr. Kudlow said there are positive signs of a recovery, noting increases in consumer confidence and recent gains in the stock market. He said both indicate a belief that the country will reopen successfully.

NY Times