The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) has directed all local banks to take preventive measures in the face the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, to protect employees and customers through providing sterilization materials and facemasks as well as all required preventive equipment.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the bank stressed its keenness to ensure the safety of all workers and customers in the banking sector. The bank also mentioned the working of the integration of all efforts made by all concerned bodies in Kuwait to face the virus and prevent its spread, the statement noted. It asked the banks to provide all preventive equipment, mouth-masks and sterilization materials at all locations of automated teller machines (ATMs), and encourage all customers to use them before and after using the ATMs, it mentioned.
All local banks must urge their customers to do their banking work from e-channels through the applications of smartphones or e-location to perform their transactions without going to branches, if unnecessary, it stated. The banks are also asked to appeal to their customers to use bank cards instead of notes, according to the statement. In addition, the CBK called on the banks to conduct awareness campaigns on the means of protection instructed by the Ministry of Health through its accounts on social media and other channels so as to target the largest segment of customers, the statement concluded.