Kandhamal: After several bank employees of various banks across Kandhamal district tested positive for COVID-19, Wednesday, the district administration closed all the banks in the district for seven days.
Kandhamal Collector Dr Brundha D said that the decision to close the banks has been taken as a preventive measure to contain the further spread of COVID-19.
The bank employees who had come in contact with the infected employees have told to remain in home quarantine. Their swab samples will be collected by the district administration during their home quarantine period, said Brundha D.
The collector directed the bank mangers to ensure that the district residents can withdraw their money from the ATMs of various banks without any restriction.
The collector also said that if any employee develops symptoms he/she should immediately report to CDM & PHO, Kandhamal and District Administration by calling COVID control room – 06842-253229 or DPHO, Kalyani Madam – 7855933715 or COVID monitoring Cell – 06842-253650.
“After one week the banks will function with 50% staff and strictly adhering to COVID-19 guidelines like maintaining social distancing, wearing masks during work hours, regularly washing hands, using sanitizer, disinfecting/sanitizing office building/common spaces at regular intervals,” added collector.
In the notification, the banks have been asked to assign a COVID compliance audit officer who will monitor the adherence of staff to COVID-19 guidelines and submit the weekly audit compliance report to deokandhamal@gmail.com for perusal of the collector.
PNN