Banks encourage public anew to transact online

CEBU, Philippines —  While banking institutions in Cebu implemented strict safety protocols, the industry is, at the same time encouraging customers to embrace online banking.

In a statement released by Cebu Bankers Club (CBC) yesterday, it reminded banking customers that banks in Cebu are strictly following health protocols, amid reports that employees in a bank here are infected by the virus.

“We assure the public that when a branch is open for service, all health measures are in place taking into consideration the health and safety of our clients as our primordial concern,” said CBC president Romeo R. Comabig.

CBC made its announcement following reports of COVID transmissions in some of its member banks.

“These are all isolated cases only. The respective bank management has done immediate actions by disinfecting these premises and observing lockdown for several days in compliance with the standard health protocol for the safety of the banking community.”

Because of this inevitable health crisis situation, CBC highly recommended online banking transaction to minimize physical contact.

“We encourage our clients to avail of the online banking services their respective banks are offering.  This will not only protect them [customers] from the risk of infection but will give them ease and convenience while banking from home or office,” CBC said.

“Banks in Cebu remain to be safe while providing essential financial services to its clients,” CBC assured.

According to the statement, the banking industry is one of the sectors that fully adhere to the health protocols set by the different government agencies.

Banks have placed various health measures to control the spread of the virus:

· Face masks and face shields for bank personnel and clients are required while inside the branch;

· Body temperature is checked before entering the branch;

· Logbook is available for contact tracing;

· Alcohol and hand sanitizers are available at the entrance and strategic locations in the lobby;

· Transparent plastic/Acrylic barriers are placed in between clients and bank personnel;

· Limited number of clients allowed inside the branch to observe social distancing

· Staggered lunch breaks for branch personnel are observed.  Communal food items are not allowed;

· Bank personnel are not allowed to cross-over to other branches to mitigate the spread of infection;

· However, if the branch is compromised, the branch undergoes deep disinfection while the exposed personnel go to immediate test and self-quarantine.