CIRCULAR NO. 04/EFI/2020, OF JUNE 9 - MANDATORY FULL COMPLIANCE WITH MEASURES TO PREVENT AND CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Bank of Mozambique
Administration

FINANCIAL STABILITY DEPARTMENT
CIRCULAR NO. 04/EFI/2020

Maputo, June 9, 2020

SUBJECT: MANDATORY FULL COMPLIANCE WITH MEASURES TO PREVENT AND CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Law No. 6/2020 of May 29 ratifies the declaration extending, for the second time, the State of Emergency established by Presidential Decree No. 14/2020 of May 28. Paragraph f) of Article 8 of the aforementioned Presidential Decree designates financial services as essential, and they must therefore remain operational.

To this end, it is necessary to harmonize and ensure full compliance with the administrative implementation measures for the prevention and containment of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, under the combined provisions of Articles 18 and 39 of Decree No. 36/2020 of June 2, the Bank of Mozambique provides the following guidance:

1. Credit institutions and financial companies must ensure, among other measures:

   a) The disinfection of facilities and equipment used by financial consumers, such as branches and ATM booths;

   b) The provision of hygiene materials for frequent handwashing at branches and ATMs;

   c) The limitation of financial consumers at branches and ATM booths to conduct transactions;

   d) The observance of a minimum interpersonal distance of one and a half meters when conducting transactions inside branches and ATM booths; and

Bank of Mozambique
Administration

e) The ventilation of facilities.

2. Credit institutions and financial companies must ensure effective communication with their employees, clients, and financial consumers to mitigate panic, boost morale, and provide essential information for the continuity of critical functions and the provision of financial services in a safe environment.

3. In the communication referred to in the preceding paragraph, credit institutions and financial companies may use the most widely accessible communication means and channels.

4. Credit institutions and financial companies must cooperate and comply with the remaining measures and obligations established in Decree No. 36/2020 of June 2, as well as any additional guidance issued by competent authorities for the prevention and fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

5. The measures mentioned in this Circular remain in effect for the duration of the State of Emergency and to the extent necessary for the prevention and/or fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Circular enters into force immediately and applies, with the necessary adaptations, to all entities subject to the supervision and/or monitoring of the Bank of Mozambique.

Any doubts arising from the interpretation and application of this Circular shall be clarified by the Conduct Supervision Department.

BANK OF MOZAMBIQUE
Financial Stability Department
[Signature]
Gertrudes Tovela
Administrator