Normal banking activities from 31st May.Bangladesh Bank has directed to resume normal banking activities from Sunday (May 31) as the general holiday period announced by the government has expired to curb the outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19).
As a result, transactions will be done in the banks from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm as before. And it will be open till 6:00 pm. However, up to two and a half hours will be transacted in the branches of high and medium risk areas for coronavirus infection.
The instructions were sent to the chief executives of all the banks on Thursday (May 28).
The government has declared a general holiday from March 26 to prevent coronavirus infection. Most of the offices were closed during the general holidays but the banks were open. Limited transactions have continued from the beginning. However, the time of bank transactions and the scope of keeping the branch open is gradually increased.
Transactions are open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and open until 3:30 p.m. until Thursday. And all the branches of the bank which do not have fully online facility have to be kept open. The bank, which has online facilities, has had to keep at least one branch open at the metropolitan, district and upazila levels.
However, as the general holiday ends on May 30 (Saturday), all branches of each bank will have to remain open from Sunday (May 31).
Bangladesh Bank has said in a circular that it has been decided to restore the bank’s office and transaction schedule in general as the general holiday period has expired. Measures should be taken in coordination with the concerned authorities to keep the bank branches or booths located in the sea, land and airport areas open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ensure that social distance is maintained in the office work environment. Risky persons, sick officers-employees and women with child potential should be prevented from appearing in the workplace. In order to keep the bank open, 13 guidelines of the Department of Health regarding health rules have to be fully complied with.
Dafawari compliance report on a monthly basis in this regard should be sent to the off-site supervision department within 5 working days of the next month till further instructions. In the light of the guidelines announced by the government, the bank has been asked to take necessary measures at its own responsibility for the transportation of officers and employees to the office when the public transport movement is limited.
The directive further states that the branches located in the medium and high risk areas of coronavirus infection announced by the Department of Health or the concerned administration will transact from 10:00 am to 2.30 pm. The transaction can be kept open till 4:00 pm to complete the ancillary work. The list of such branches should be sent to Bangladesh Bank on the first working day of every week.
Dhaka Bureau Chief, May 29,2020