Maharashtra banks cut down active hours

Banks in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra have revised their office hours in view of the COVID-19 situation in the state. The decision has been taken by a state-level bankers committee to protect bank employees from getting infected with COVID-19 as cases continue to rise gradually amid the second wave of COVID-19 in India.

Starting from April 23, all banks in Maharashtra have started operating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. till April 30. However, customers will be able to access basic banking facilities such as money withdrawal and deposit.

Recently Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) decided to shorten bank branch hours along with cutting staff attendance by 50%. The banking industry body also communicated standard operating procedures to all the banks on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

IBA had observed that the infection rate among bankers is ‘alarming’. ‘Considering the fact that there is no nationwide lockdown this time and states are issuing relevant guidelines depending on the gravity of the situation in respective states, the MC [Managing Committee of IBA] has advised that … The State Level Bankers’ Committees could modify the SOPs as per the prevailing situation and needs in respective states,” the letter read.