Bangladesh Bank on Thursday asked banks to resume regular banking activities from Sunday, moving away from banking in limited capacity due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The central bank also directed banks to enforce safety and hygiene related guidelines of the World Health Organization during office hours, it said in a circular issued on the day.
Banks will remain open for transaction from 10:00am to 4:00pm, but will operate from 10:00am to 2:30pm in medium and high-risk areas, the circular added.
Their office hours will also be from 10:00am to 6:00pm.
The BB circular also said bank branches or booths will remain open 24 hours and seven days a week in port and customs house areas.
In case of limited public transport, respective banks will have to take responsibility of transportation for their officers and staffs, while social distancing must also be ensured in bank premises and offices, as per the circular.
Earlier on April 16, Bangladesh Bank fixed banking hours from 10:00am to 1:00pm during the general holiday owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
Banks remained open from 10:00am to 2:00pm while the transaction hour was from 10am and 1pm.
Under limited scale of operations, banks provided cash transaction, cheque clearing, demand draft, pay orders, treasury chalan (bill) submission, fresh investment, reinvestment in national savings certificates, and other services under the payment and clearing system.
