COVID Second Wave: Odisha Curtails Customer Service Hours In Banks; Details Here

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Bhubaneswar: To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, the Odisha government on Monday directed banks to limit the customer service hours from 10 am to 2 pm till May 15.

The banking hours, however, will be from 10 am to 4 pm, the State’s Finance Department wrote to the SLBC.

The urban branches of the banks will remain closed on Saturdays in sync with the government’s order for weekend shutdown to break the infection chain, till this date.

The order further said that the administrative offices and branches of banks may function with a reduced staff of 50 per cent on a rotation basis.

“A suitable decision may be taken by the respective controlling offices of banks having five or fewer staff for effective functioning of the branch and to ensure uninterrupted banking service to the public,” it said.

The banks will continue to provide mandatory services like accepting deposits, cash withdrawals, remittance, and government businesses and lending-related activities. They have been advised to keep sufficient cash in ATMs in all districts, it added.