Three banks closed over COVID-19 fears

Two commercial banks in The City and one in Six Roads, St Philip have been hit by closures as two bank workers come down with the coronavirus.

CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank on Broad Street and Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited branches Independence Square and Six Roads have all been closed.

CIBC FCIB on Broad Street is to remain closed until Monday.

No date has given for the reopening of the two Republic Bank branches.

In a statement posted on the bank’s Facebook page, CIBC FCIB announced that a member of staff had tested positive for COVID-19.

The statement read: “We have received unfortunate news that one of our staff members at our Broad Street branch has tested positive for COVID-19.

“We have provided our employee with all the necessary support through this difficult period and we extend best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Republic Bank (Barbados) Limited also said that it was made aware that one of its staff at the Independence Square Head Office has tested positive for COVID-19.

As a result, the bank has taken the decision to close two locations. It said: “Out of an abundance of caution we have asked all staff in the affected department to remain at home until they receive their test results. Republic Bank has undertaken a full industrial cleaning of the building and has engaged the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit who will provide the all-clear prior to our reopening.

“Our primary interest remains the safety of our full team, our clients and customers as we continue to rigorously follow all of the guidelines and protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the COVID-19 Monitoring Unit.”

CIBC FCIB said it has completed cleaning its building while Republic Bank said their buildings will undergo “industrial cleaning”.

“Our branch has been closed for the past five days and has already undergone a thorough sanitization. However, out of an abundance of caution, we have taken the decision to keep the branch closed for the rest of the week,” the CIBC FCIB statement read. (IMC/PR)