News Desk: Despite being instructed to conduct various activities with 50 per cent staff to prevent coronavirus infection, Bangladesh Bank says customer service needs to be ensured through internal coordination of manpower. As a result of this directive of Bangladesh Bank, banks will no longer be required to run offices with 50 percent staff.

On Wednesday, the Banking Regulation and Policy Division of Bangladesh Bank issued a circular on the bank’s efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This instruction was given in that notification. It said the directive would remain in force for the next two weeks.

In the notification, the central bank has directed to ensure compliance with hygiene rules including mandatory wearing of mask while entering and staying at work.

Earlier on March 29, the government issued a new 18-point directive considering the current situation due to the increase in coronavirus infection. The central bank has instructed the banks to comply with five of these directives. The five guidelines are:

‘A’ – has been asked to limit all types of public gatherings (social / political / religious / other). As well as all types of public gatherings in highly infected areas have been banned. Public gatherings on the occasion of all kinds of social events including weddings / birthdays should be discouraged.

‘F’-Passengers arriving from abroad must ensure institutional quarantine for up to 14 days (at their own expense at the hotel) to ensure isolation of the person with corona-infected, corona-like symptoms.

‘D’- Isolation of coronavirus infected or symptomatic person should be ensured. Others who came in close contact with the victim were also asked to ensure quarantine.

‘O’-meetings, seminars, training workshops should be arranged online as much as possible.

‘D’- Mandatory wearing of masks and other hygiene during work entry and stay must be ensured.

Apart from this, all the government and non-government offices / institutions except the ones engaged in emergency services should be run with 50 percent manpower as per the instructions given in the ‘F’ sequence in the 18 points of the government.  Arrangements should be made to perform the work by staying at the home of the pregnant / sick, officer / employee above 55 years of age. In yesterday’s directive, it was asked to ensure customer service through internal coordination of manpower by following the hygiene rules considering the existing situation of covid-19.

However, in the notification of Bangladesh Bank, it has been said that in this case, considering the existing situation, it is necessary to ensure customer service by following the hygiene rules and internal coordination of manpower.