DOS Circular Letter No. 29: Conducting Banking Service from 15 July 2021 to 05 August 2021

50 119 Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank of Bangladesh) Head Office Motijheel, Dhaka-1000 Bangladesh Department of Off-Site Supervision DOS Circular Letter No.-29 Date: 29 Asharh 1428 13 July 2021 Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer All Scheduled Banks operating in Bangladesh. Regarding the conduct of banking activities amidst government-imposed restrictions to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). Dear Sir, In light of the Memorandum No.-04.00.0000.514.16.001.21.228 dated 13 July 2021 of the Cabinet Division, normal banking operations will be conducted on 15, 18, and 19 July 2021 according to the schedule below, ensuring strict compliance with health rules including wearing masks, for the purpose of conducting business before Eid and keeping economic activities normal:

Banking Transaction Schedule	Transaction Time	Time for completion of subsequent ancillary activities
From 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM	Until 6:00 PM

2. To facilitate the sale of export bills by various institutions related to the ready-made garment industry preparing for Eid-ul-Azha, and to pay salaries, bonuses, and other allowances of workers/employees/staff working in said industries, scheduled banks located in Dhaka Metropolitan Area, Ashulia, Tongi, Gazipur, Savar, Bhaluka, Narayanganj, and Chittagong, specifically those branches related to the ready-made garment industry, will remain open on 17 and 20 July 2021 according to the schedule below, ensuring strict compliance with health rules including wearing masks and securing necessary safety measures:

Clearing facilities of Bangladesh Bank will remain operational on the aforementioned dates. However, for the smooth operation of clearing facilities, no bank branch located outside the aforementioned areas shall accept cheques.

Banking Transaction Schedule	Transaction Time	Time for completion of subsequent ancillary activities
From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM	Until 3:30 PM

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-02- 3. a) Considering the situation of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) infection, banking activities will be conducted on a limited basis according to the schedule below from 25 July 2021 to 05 August 2021 (excluding weekly holidays) during the restriction period: b) Banks may keep open their Head Office's essential departments and a necessary number of branches at their own discretion, with a limited number of personnel, ensuring strict compliance with health rules including wearing masks. c) The following banking services must be kept active during the restriction period: Deposits and withdrawals of cash/cheques or funds into customers' accounts, issuance and acceptance of Demand Drafts/Pay Orders, payment of foreign remittances, distribution of allowances/grants provided under various social programs of the Government, transfer of funds between different branches opened by the same bank and different accounts of the same branch, acceptance of Treasury Challans, provision of other transaction facilities under various payment systems/clearing facilities maintained by Bangladesh Bank to all customers of banks with online facilities and customers of opened branches of banks without such facilities, and urgent foreign exchange transactions. d) Card-based transactions and Internet banking services must be kept running continuously. e) ATM booths must be kept running continuously with proper note supply. f) Regarding keeping branches/sub-branches/booths of banks located in sea/land/airport areas (Port and Customs areas) open continuously, appropriate measures must be taken in consultation with local administration and Port/Customs authorities in accordance with DOS Circular Letter No.-24 issued on 05 August 2019, ensuring strict compliance with health rules including wearing masks. g) Necessary arrangements must be made to conduct customer service activities of branches remaining closed during the restriction period through opened branches. It must be ensured that notices are displayed in visible places of such closed branches to inform customers about receiving customer services.

4. During the restriction period, respective banks must take necessary measures for the travel of bank officials/staff to their respective offices. Bank officials/staff must carry identification cards issued by their respective institutions while traveling.

These instructions are issued under the powers conferred by Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.

Yours faithfully, (Md. Anowarul Islam) General Manager Phone: 9530093

Banking Transaction Schedule	Transaction Time	Time for completion of subsequent ancillary activities
From 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM	Until 3:00 PM