Banks in the country will remain open in limited scale from Sunday (Mar 29) to facilitate the financial transaction for their clients though the government has declared general holidays from Mar 29 to Apr 2.
As per a recent circular of the Bangladesh Bank, banks will remain open from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. during the government-declared general holidays while the transaction will be made between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
During the time, banks will keep open required number of online branches for only depositing and withdrawing cash in order to ensure smooth transaction of the people.
As per the circular, non-online bank branches will remain open only for cash deposit and withdrawal. Authorized Dealer (AD) branches will only remain open for emergency foreign transactions, it added.
The central bank also asked banks to keep enough money at ATM booths for ensuring ATM and card transaction.
In another circular, BB asked the banks to continue the issuance of the DD or Pay orders during the general holidays.
The central bank has also taken a decision to keep open the Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN) system on Apr 1 and 2 for completing all transactions including disbursement of salaries and allowances of the government officials and employees.
Bangladesh Automated Cheque Processing System (BACPS) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) will remain closed during the general holidays while the National Payment Switch Bangladesh (NPSB) platform will remain open during the holidays but the settlement of the transactions will be done on the next working days.
The government has declared a nationwide 10-day holiday shutting down government and private offices excepting essential and healthcare facilities from Mar 26 to Apr 4 over the COVID-19 situation.
Among the holidays, the Mar 26 is a public holiday, Mar 27-28 the weekend, while general holiday was declared for five days from Mar 29 and the weekend of Apr 3-4 would be included into the holiday.
