Banks, NBFCs turn sources of spread of Covid-19 in Telangana

Hyderabad: Banks and non-banking institutions like insurance firms, currency exchanges and small lenders mainly pawn broker shops have become sources for the fast spread of deadly coronavirus in Telangana particularly in Hyderabad during the lockdown-5 period.

The head offices of the leading bank institutions were also not exception from the spread of virus. Amid fears that the deadly virus may infect the other officials after the family members of a senior official tested positive, the regional head office of SBI located at Gunfoundry in Abids has shut the operations for a day on Monday .

One more important administrative branch of the public sector bank has also been closed when the authorities were alerted that a manager level official admitted to a corporate hospital with corona symptoms in Hyderabad.

One of the big administrative office of the public sector insurance office located in Basheerbagh also stopped extending consumer services for two days after a staff member and his relatives were tested positive in the city

Top officials said that the number of officials afflicted with corona was increasing in the bank and insurance offices ever since the restrictions on trade activity lifted from June 1 in the State.

At least 2 or 3 officials working in different bank branches are tested positive every day for a week. Despite taking all safety measures, officials said that the main reason for the spread of virus was the banks were crowded with customers and the managements are struggling hard to control the visitors.

Withdrawal of money by pensioners and traders is unavoidable in the regular banking activity. Stating that Implementing the Covid safety guidelines has been a big challenge to the banks, a senior official said, "unless the customers adopt e- banking, it is impossible to contain the spread of virus on bank premises."

Private banks are ahead of public sector banks in encouraging the customers to opt e- banking system. The footfall in private banks is almost 60 per cent less when compared to public financial institutions.

The insurance company branches in the public and private sector also witnessed the virus spread by its employees in Hyderabad and in districts. Officials, however, said the details will not be divulged for public interest.

In view of growing number of positive cases, currency exchanges and pawn brokers are already discouraging the customers to come to the office and instead suggested them to avail the services at the doorsteps introduced in Hyderabad. Some currency exchange agencies have introduced 100 per cent digital transactions.