Bank of Maldives (BML) has announced the decision to close off all branches and service centers to the public.

In an announcement on Tuesday, the country’s national bank revealed that this was done as a precautionary measure against the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country, and in line with the measures implemented by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to control the spread of the virus.

As per an announcement made by the country’s central bank, Maldives Monetary Authority in the face of the new and improved precautionary measures across the capital region, BML brought changes to its banking services to take effect from Thursday, for a two-week period.

Until June 10, all branches and service centers including the Customer Service Center will be closed to the public, as BML’s highest priority currently is to ensure and safeguard the health and safety of their employees as well as customers.

In this regard BML has urged customers to bank from home, for everyday banking and customers with required permits from the relevant authorities will be allowed to use ATMs for cash withdrawal and deposits.

Individual customers may deposit up to MVR 100,000 on a daily basis whereas businesses will be allowed to deposit up to MVR 500,000 per day.

In addition, BML announced that they will be providing essential services through online platforms on weekdays, to ensure continued customer support. These services include processing requests for international transfer and payroll processing through emails as well as processing cheques deposited at ATMs.

Further, in accordance with MMA’s operational changes, BML revealed that local bank transfers via ACH, RTGS and other bank cheques will be available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.