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2022-09-20

Circular No. 04/EFI/2022, of September 20 – Compliance with Measures to Prevent and Contain the Spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Bank of Mozambique issued Circular No. 04/EFI/2022 to mandate that credit institutions and financial companies strictly implement updated COVID-19 prevention measures, including providing hand sanitization products at all branches, ATMs, and payment kiosks, and enforcing a minimum two-meter interpersonal distancing rule. Regulated entities must deploy floor markings and informational signage to maintain distancing, collaborate fully with health authorities, and assign their administrative bodies to oversee compliance among staff and customers. Non-compliance with these directives is punishable under applicable law, and this circular immediately supersedes the previous February 2021 directive.

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Bank of Mozambique Administration

CIRCULAR NO. 04/EFI/2022 Maputo, September 20, 2022

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

Decree No. 44/2022, of September 1, establishes measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, adjusted to the current epidemiological situation, within the context of the Public Health Emergency.

Therefore, given the need to adjust the regulation applicable to credit institutions and financial companies to the new legal and health framework, the Bank of Mozambique determines:

  1. Credit institutions and financial companies must implement and ensure, at all times, in an integral and rigorous manner, among other measures determined by the competent authorities:

    a) The provision, in each branch, ATM booth, and payment kiosk, of products or solutions for hand washing or disinfection for their employees and financial consumers, namely alcohol (which may be in gel form), in accordance with the characteristics and guidelines defined by health authorities;

    b) Compliance with a minimum interpersonal distancing of 2 (two) meters, inside and outside the branches.

  2. To ensure compliance with the interpersonal distancing measure, credit institutions and financial companies must use signage in their premises, including in ATM booths, namely by marking the floor and using other informational elements.

  3. Credit institutions and financial companies and other entities subject to the supervision and monitoring of the Bank of Mozambique must collaborate with the competent authorities in the integral and rigorous compliance with the measures and obligations established in this Circular, as well as with the guidelines determined by health authorities for the prevention and fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

  4. The administrative body or equivalent of the credit institution and financial company is responsible for implementing and monitoring compliance with the measures established in this Circular among its employees and financial consumers.

  5. Non-compliance with the measures established in this Circular is punishable under applicable legislation.

  6. This Circular enters into force immediately and repeals Circular No. 01/EFI/2021, of February 8.

Questions regarding the interpretation and application of this Circular are clarified by the Conduct Supervision Department of the Bank of Mozambique.

BANK OF MOZAMBIQUE Financial Stability Department Benedita Maria Guimino Administrator

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