Bank Staff Obstructed on the Way; Banks Abandon Operations for Today

No branches of banks will operate today.

Since banking comes under the limited list of essential services, the local government, Nepal Rastra Bank, and bankers had decided to open a handful of each bank's branches even during the lockdown.

However, numerous bank staff and officials were obstructed today by the police on their way to work. Thus, the chairman of Nepal Bankers' Association, Bhuwan Kumar Dahal, issued a new directive to close all the branches of banks today.

Even the CEOs of some banks have been stopped on the way. 

Sharesansar called Anupama Khunjeli, CEO of Mega Bank, to know her opinion on what happened today. 

"Banking is an essential service but we cannot work if the police obstruct our staff on their way like this," Khunjeli said. When asked whether she was also stopped on her way to the office, she said, "No, I am working from home," with a laugh. 

Even though the governmental bodies have instructed to only operate ATM services, some staff is still required to load the funds, operate IT, and for clearing purposes. Thus, all these services will be obstructed if every bank employee is stopped on their way to work.

Just yesterday, an agreement was made with the CDO to let every bank operate a total of eight branches in the Kathmandu valley. The necessary staff was expected to be allowed to come to their respective workstations.

On their defense, the Traffic Police Headquarters has said that it is solely following the orders from higher authorities. Since there seems to have been confusion, they will cooperate with the authority to solve the dilemma.