A CHICAGO air traffic control tower closed after FAA technicians tested positive for coronavirus.

The Chicago Midway Air Traffic Control Tower (MDW) temporarily shut down Tuesday at 5 pm local time.

Three technicians at the tower were found to have COVID-19 – adding to the total infected in the US, which has now surpassed 6,000 people.

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Tuesday: “The airport remains open and operations will continue at a reduced rate until the situation is resolved.

“The safety of our staff and the traveling public is the FAA’s top priority.

"Our controllers, inspectors and others with critical safety or security sensitive roles are essential components of our national airspace.”

Nearly 200 flights have since been cancelled at Midway, with a majority of them from Southwest Airlines.

To prevent the spread of the virus, the airport as decided to limit control tower access.

A ground delay program – allowing only one plane to take off or land at a time – has also been implemented, according to the Chicago Department of Aviation.

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association has asked the FAA to close the facility for disinfecting.

NATCHA said it "is adamant that the testing must occur immediately and is hopeful there will be no additional COVID-19 infections.

"We are encouraged that the FAA is pursuing the rapid testing of all personnel at [Midway] Tower.”

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