Banks to remain open until further instruction

All banks will continue their operations as usual during the upcoming lockdown to contain surging of COVID-19 infections until the Bangladesh Bank issues further instructions.

The central bank is likely to issue new circular regarding operation of banks amid the surge of COVID-19 cases that led to announcement of a weeklong lockdown from Monday.

Bangladesh Bank deputy governor Abu Farah Md Naser confirmed the matter on Saturday evening.

He also said that the BB was keen to run the banking activities for carrying out necessary jobs maintaining health guidelines.

The bank will take the final decision about the new circular in a meeting likely to be held on Sunday, he added.

Earlier, the central bank ordered banks to immediately introduce an alternate duty roster for their workforce in order to tackle the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bangladesh Bank issued a notice on Wednesday to this end as per guidelines of the Prime Minister’s Office.