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2020-11-16

Circular No. 05/EFI/2020 of 16 November - Full Compliance with Measures to Prevent and Contain the Spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The Bank of Mozambique issued Circular No. 05/EFI/2020 to mandate full compliance with COVID-19 prevention and containment measures for all supervised credit institutions and financial companies. The directive requires these entities to implement strict hygiene protocols, including facility disinfection, handwashing material provision, ATM booth occupancy limits, mandatory mask or visor usage, and enforced social distancing. Additionally, institutions must maintain effective internal and external communications to sustain critical financial services and public morale throughout the public calamity period.

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Bank of Mozambique Administration

CIRCULAR NO. 05/EFI2020

Maputo, 16 November 2020

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

Through Decree No. 79/2020 of 4 September, the Government declared a public calamity situation, with the consequent activation of the red alert and the establishment of measures to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In effect, it is necessary to harmonize and ensure full compliance with the measures established to prevent and contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Article 22 of Decree No. 79/2020 of 4 September establishes that the services of credit institutions and financial companies must be provided in observance of the prevention and combat measures against the COVID-19 pandemic. In this regard, 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 keyboards and ATM booths;

    b) The provision of handwashing hygiene materials in branches and ATMs;

    c) The limitation of financial consumers in ATM booths to carry out transactions;

  2. For the purposes of item b) of the preceding paragraph, remote ATMs due to the location of the supporting branch must be periodically cleaned, upon communication of the respective plan by the credit institution or financial company to the Bank of Mozambique.

  3. All entities subject to the supervision and monitoring of the Bank of Mozambique must ensure, among others, the following measures at their facilities:

    a) The observance of a minimum interpersonal distancing of one and a half meters (1.5m) for obtaining information or carrying out transactions;

    b) The use of masks and/or visors by clients and financial consumers, as well as by staff;

Bank of Mozambique Administration

c) The ventilation of facilities.

3. All entities subject to the supervision and monitoring of the Bank of Mozambique must ensure effective communication to their staff, 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.

  1. In the communication referred to in the preceding paragraph, entities may use the communication means and channels that are closest to the recipients.

  2. All entities subject to the supervision and monitoring of the Bank of Mozambique must cooperate and observe the remaining measures and obligations established in Decree No. 79/2020 of 4 September, as well as any additional guidelines determined by the competent authorities for the prevention and combat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  3. The measures mentioned in this Circular remain in effect during the duration of the public calamity situation and, to the extent necessary for the prevention and/or combat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This Circular enters into force immediately and repeals Circular No. 4/EFI/2020 of 9 June.

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

BANK OF MOZAMBIQUE Financial Stability Division Gertrudes Tovela Administrator

PROMOTING FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND THE VALUE OF THE METICAL PROMOTING FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND THE VALUE OF METICAL w w w . b a n c o m o c . m z

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