All Bank's Branches will be Closed for 5 Days During Dashain Festival:
Banks have decided not to open their branches during the Dashain holiday due to coronavirus infection. The bank, which provided services by opening limited bank counters even during the Dashain holiday last year, has decided not to open any bank this year.
The Nepal Bankers' Association, an umbrella organization of banks, has decided not to open a limited branch as it may increase the risk of the corona. Anil Sharma, chief executive officer of the association, said that all commercial bank branches would be closed for five days from 7 to 11 Kartik as directed by the government. ‘Opening only a limited number of banks in Dashain could lead to more congestion,’ he said, adding, ‘Corona infection has been confirmed in most bank employees. It is closed with the conclusion that it would be appropriate to close it for five days instead of taking the risk of infection.
As banks have been prioritizing ATMs and digital transactions, this time the service of opening branches by encouraging digital banking has been discontinued. The closure of commercial banks during Dashain is not within the jurisdiction of Nepal Rastra Bank, says Dev Kumar Dhakal, head of the regulatory department of Rastra Bank.
Generally, all banks and financial institutions regulated by NRB should be open on the day and time of opening. He says that in the current difficult situation, there is no compulsory to open it.
