Banks close on August 1, 4

Staff Correspondent

All banks will remain closed on August 1 and 4 considering the current Covid-19 situation, the Bangladesh Bank announced on Wednesday.

The central bank in a circular said that banking activities would continue on a limited scale on August 2, 3 and 5. The ongoing ‘strict lockdown’ that started from July 23 to limit the transmission of coronavirus will continue until August 5.

“Banking transaction will continue from 10am to 2:30pm and other transaction related activities will continue up to 4pm on these days,” BB said.

The central bank said banks would have to maintain all Covid-safety protocols and have limited staff. Their other regular activities can also continue in compliance with government guidelines.

After a four-day break during Eid-ul-Azha and weekly holidays, banks and financial institutions opened on Sunday amid a countrywide strict lockdown.

The other directives of Bangladesh Bank issued on July 13 this year will remain unchanged, said the BB circular.

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.

Internet banking services will continue. All banks will have to ensure the operations of ATM kiosks to facilitate transactions through cards and by supplying adequate cash in the machines, the central bank said.