SBP to not issue fresh notes for Eid-ul-Fitr

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that fresh currency notes will not be issued on Eid-ul-Fitr this year amid COVID-19 epidemic.

According to a notification issued by SBP, “As you are aware the bank’s management has taken multiple precautionary measures to ensure social distancing and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

“Accordingly, the Bank’s COVID-19 committee chaired by DG (Banking & FMRM) in its meeting held on April 29, 2020 has decided NOT to issue fresh notes to general public and employee and Its subsidiaries on occasion of Eid-ul-Fltr 2020.”

“All Chief Managers are advised to disseminate these instructions to all concerned officials for information and meticulous compliance,” read the official notification.

On March 24, as part of preventive steps to contain the spread of novel COVID-19, the State Bank of Pakistan had instructed all the banks to provide authenticated and disinfected currency notes to the people.

SBP had also directed all the banks across the country to ensure continuous availability of cash at the ATMs round the clock.

SBP said the employees of banks and other financial institutions are continuously providing services to the general public despite the difficult working conditions arising due to the COVID-19.

“For the protection of bank employees and customers, work place safety and to meet the operational challenges in serving the bank customers, banks have been advised to implement guidelines issued by World Health Organization, the government of Pakistan and the provincial governments in letter and spirit,” it said.