Banks to Remain Closed in Lockdown Areas

Bangladesh Bank has ordered the suspension of banking activities in areas under government lockdown during general holidays to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

The central bank also reduced the transaction hours by 30 minutes.

Both orders will come into effect on 12 April (Sunday).

The Circular, released by the Department of Off-site Supervision of the Central Bank, confirmed that the bank branches located in the lock-down areas will remain closed in accordance with the local administration's announcement.

At the time of the bank operation, the offices of the banks involved and their headquarters will conduct transfers and other financial operations from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. instead of 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. although the banks will stay open until 14 p.m. for other tasks.

However, the authorized dealers designated banks can do their general banking until 1:30 pm considering their own needs, the circular said.

Bangladesh Bank also asked the banks to maintain the safety and hygiene-related guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) while operating the banks. 

Earlier on 2 April, the central bank expanded the operational hour by 60 minutes, enabling the banks to stay open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with the trading time from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the general holidays.

Meanwhile, the head office of state-owned Agrani Bank was closed down after one of its officials tested positive for coronavirus.

Bangladesh on Thursday announced detection of 112 new coronavirus cases and one death. The country has so far recorded 330 cases – 21 of them died.

The government announced a general holiday from March 26 and then extended it until April 14. It also shut down mass transport and urged people to stay indoors to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus.

Source: UNB