Bangladesh Bank has re-fixed banking hours, to halt the sharp rise of Covid-19 in the country during an ongoing strict lockdown.
As per a central bank circular issued on Wednesday, all banks will remain closed on August 1 and 4 considering the current Covid-19 pandemic situation in Bangladesh.
Transaction time has also been extended by an hour from August 2 to 5, reads the circular. On August 2, 3, and 5, banking activities will run from 10:00am to 2:30pm instead of 1:30pm.
Besides, banks will remain open until 4:00pm for their internal activities.
Other than these, directives of a central bank circular issued July 13 will remain unchanged, the latest circular said.
After a four-day break due to Eid-ul-Azha and weekly holidays, banks and financial institutions in Bangladesh opened on Sunday amid the countrywide 14-day strict lockdown that was enforced on July 23 to contain the spread of Covid-19, reports UNB.
As per that circular, during this period, the head offices and authorised dealers-designated branches of banks will remain open while state-owned banks will keep open one branch at the district level and one at the upazila level.
Private banks, on the other hand, will keep open one branch at the district level and a maximum of two branches outside districts with limited manpower, according to the central bank.
However, internet banking services will continue for 24 hours. All banks will have to ensure the operations of ATM kiosks to facilitate transactions through cards and by supplying adequate cash in the machines, as per the BB circular.
