Banks will operate normally from Wednesday with customers’ transaction time from 10 am to 4 pm instead of current hours of 10 am to 2:30 pm. The Bangladesh Bank issued a new circular on Tuesday saying that banks can remain open until 6 pm for conducting their other office activities instead of the previously set time of 4 pm. Read:Banks to remain closed on Sunday The new circular was issued against the backdrop of the government’s withdrawal of strict countrywide lockdown to contain the deadly Coronavirus that is spreading fast. The central bank said the bank authorities will follow all Covid-19 health safety protocols including maintaining social distance during the transactions.

Banks will remain closed on Sunday, said the Bangladesh Bank in a circular issued on Thursday. However, banks’ transaction time on Monday and Tuesday has been extended by half an hour from 10 am to 3 pm instead of existing time from 10 am to 2:30 pm. Read: Bank transaction time extended by 1 hour during lockdown They can remain open up to 4:30 pm to conduct their official activities, said the BB circular, issued against the backdrop of the government’s extension of current lockdown until August 10 considering the Covid-19 situation. The other instructions including maintenance of all Covid-safety protocols and operation with limited staff will remain unchanged. As per that circular, during this period, the head offices and other necessary branches of banks can remain open with limited staff. Read: Banks to open from Sunday for limited hours The banks have to conduct its regular activities like deposits and withdrawal of money by customers, demand note/pay order issue, foreign remittance handover, payment under the government’s safety-net social programmes and pension payments.    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, said the BB circular.