Amid coronavirus scare, Odisha government asks banks to advise customers to use internet banking

BHUBANESWAR: The state finance department has asked all banks in the state to advise their customers not to visit bank branches/ATMs except in urgency and to use mobile banking or internet banking service in view of the Corona scare.
In an advisory issued to the state-level bankers committee (SLBC), the Finance department has also asked banks to notify a dedicated phone number for the customers for any transaction related queries, which would help in reducing number of visitors to bank branches personally.
To avoid crowding in bank branches, the banks have been asked to open more counters and to allow customers inside branches in small batches. “All staff members should use masks during office hours. Keep sufficient hand sanitizers/hand wash/soaps in the wash rooms. Advise the staff members to clean hands using hand sanitizer/hand wash/soap at regular intervals,” said the finance department advisory.
Keeping in mind the visit of number of people to various ATM counters, the banks have also been asked to keep hand sanitizer in the ATM counters and advise customers to use it after the transactions. Instructions have also been issued to put up coronavirus awareness posters and banners prominently in bank branches and ATMs. The banks have been asked to create coronavirus awareness by sending bulk SMS to customers.
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“Allow customers to enter ATMs one by one and never allow more than one at a time,” said the advisory.
To ensure safety of banking correspondents (BC) working in rural areas (in the unbanked areas), the banks have been asked to advise the BCs to use masks and carry hand sanitizer with them while visiting rural areas for various bank-related activities.