Banks ‘ready’ for lockdown – BBA

Commercial banks have said they are prepared for the two-week lockdown starting Wednesday.

As the country braces for the impact of the closure of most businesses and a halt to general public social interaction to help stem the COVID-19 surge, President of the Barbados Bankers Association (BBA) Donna Wellington told Barbados TODAY Monday afternoon they are ready to face the restrictions.

When Government announced the lockdown last Tuesday to contain the spread of the coronavirus, Attorney General Dale Marshall said provisions would be made for Barbadians to have access to essential services during the February 3-17 period of pause.

He also said that from Wednesday for one week, banks and credit unions would be allowed to provide back-office supporting services, but there must be no face-to-face banking. He said retail banking will resume from Thursday, February 11 until the end of the 15-day lockdown.

Marshall said remittance or cash services that involve face-to-face interactions would not be allowed. But he said bill-paying locations would be opened between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday to allow Barbadians to pay their bills.

Wellington assured Barbadians that the banking sector would be supporting ATMs, payroll, online wires transfers, night wallets and all online transactions during the lockdown.

Banks will open from the 11th February between the hours of 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day until the end of the lockdown, she said.

She stated that banks have no need to change their COVID-19 health protocols which were in place since last year.

With respect to the broader economic challenges ahead this year, the bankers’ association president declared: “[We are in a] wait and see mode on the economic challenges – we have only now begun.”

Outlining the essential services providers who would be allowed to operate, Attorney General Marshall said bakeries and bread depots will be opened for the sale of bread from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., with the actual baking of bread allowed to start at 7 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

Cleaning services will also be allowed to operate to meet the needs of supermarkets, health facilities, and other exempt businesses.

But maids, nannies, gardeners, and other personal service providers for homes and villas will not be permitted to report to work, according to the Attorney General. (EJ)