UNB, Dhaka
Bangladesh Bank on Wednesday extended the bank transaction time by an hour from August 2 to 5.
However, banks will remain closed on August 1 and 4, said a circular of the central bank issued on Wednesday, adding the measures were taken considering the current Covid-19 situation.
It said all banks will operate on a limited scale from 10am to 2:30 pm instead of 1.30pm on August 2, 3 and 5 maintaining all Covid-safety protocols and with limited staff.
However, banks can remain open till 4pm to conduct their own activities, post-customer hours on the days.
Their other regular activities can also continue in compliance with government guidelines.
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 rising Covid.
The other directives of Bangladesh Bank issued on July 13 this year will remain unchanged, said the 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.
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.