BSP Urges Banks to Observe Protocols in Delivering Services amid Metro Manila ECQ
BSP – Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas spoke on the banking services in Metro Manila amid the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
Metro Manila is currently under the strictest community quarantine measure until August 20, 2021. It is in line with the efforts to prevent another spike in the COVID-19 cases in the Philippines after the Delta variant was detected in the country.
The transmissibility rate of the Delta variant which is reportedly higher compared to other mutated versions of the virus makes it a variant of concern. It was first logged in India where it caused a surge in coronavirus cases resulting in the collapse of the nation’s healthcare system.
Currently, Thailand, Indonesia, United States, Malaysia, and several other countries also face a tough fight against the Delta variant. Several nations are doing all they can to boost their vaccination program.
In the Philippines, amid the ECQ in Metro Manila, the vaccination will also continue. Those who are set to receive their vaccine are allowed to go out. Essential businesses are also allowed to operate but there are limitations.
With regards to the banking services, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently spoke about it. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Central Bank said that banking services in Metro Manila will continue amid the ECQ provided that banks will observe the proper health protocols.
According to BSP, they will coordinate with banks to make sure that the people still get the service they need amid the ECQ in Metro Manila. Their head office will operate but under a skeleton workforce scheme. The same thing will be implemented in their security plant complex in Quezon City.
Amid the hesitations on implementing another round of lockdown as it may greatly damage the economy, even the business sector pushes that an action really has to be made to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
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