The Bangladesh Bank on Tuesday reversed its previous decision to entirely close banks during the week-long lockdown, choosing instead to keep banks open on a limited scale.
The decision was reversed after the Cabinet Division sent a letter to the central bank, requesting it to keep banks open.
Amid the strict lockdown which will begin from today, banking transactions will be carried out from 10am to 1pm and banks will remain open till 2:30pm, said Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Md Serajul Islam.
The main branches of banks situated in districts will be open amid the lockdown and all authorized dealer branches should be open for conducting important and urgent foreign transactions, as per a BB notice issued yesterday.
Bangladesh Bank said that a branch will be kept open within every two kilometres in the city corporation areas.
One branch of each bank, which operates at the upazila level, will have to open on Thursday, Sunday and Tuesday, as per the BB notice.
Various payment and clearing systems introduced by the central bank should continue for all types of deposits and withdrawals, distribution of allowance under the various social programs of the government, remittance payments, and payment of utility bills.
The government and the central bank’s instructions on hygiene and health guidelines should be ensured among bank officials, the BB notice adds.
Bank branches, sub-branches, booths located in the sea, land and airports, and customs areas should be open at all times by consulting with the local administration and customs authorities.
The central bank also asked the lenders to keep adequate cash at their branches and ATM booths to ensure services to their clients.
Before the move, on Monday, the central bank decided that all scheduled banks will be closed during the lockdown period.