Banks, bourses open from Sunday to Thursday

Staff Correspondent

Banks and capital markets will remain open for a limited period during the government-enforced strict countrywide lockdown.

All banks will resume operation after the Eid-ul-Azha holiday and remain open during the lockdown from 10:00am to 1:30pm from Sunday to Thursday until August 5.

Similarly, capital markets will remain operational from 10:00am to 1:00pm starting from Sunday except Friday and Saturday.

“The banks will follow the new banking hours during the ongoing lockdown as per directives issued by Bangladesh Bank on July 13. Depending on the situation, any changes in banking hours or other decisions will be announced through notifications,” Serajul Islam, executive director and spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, told The Business Post.

On July 13, the central bank issued a circular refixing banking hours as per a guideline set by the Cabinet Division in a bid to stop the sharp rise of Covid-19 in the country.

According to the circular, all banks were instructed to operate with limited staff following health guidelines from 10:00am to 1:30pm to facilitate transactions, while banks can remain open until 3:00pm for internal activities during the lockdown.

On the other hand, Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC), in a directive issued on July 14, said trading at the bourses would remain open during the lockdown from Sunday to Thursday from 10:00am to 1:00pm.

During this period, brokerage houses have been instructed to operate with 25 per cent of their workforce following hygiene rules. The directive also suggested investors make transactions online or over the phone to reduce the chances of Covid-19 transmission.