‘Unmanaged queues’ pose threat

THE long, unmanaged queues at banks pose a risk for the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19), National Pandemic Response Deputy Controller Dr Daoni Esorom says.
“I’m concerned at seeing that there has been long queues at the banks; people standing in queues are not wearing masks, both inside and outside the bank,” he said.
“You see this happening in the banks all over the country.
“Bank buildings are confined areas that can also be a hub for the spread of Covid-19 infections, including the Delta and Omicron variants.”
Esorom urged bank managements to ensure that queues were minimised and everyone needed to wear masks. “They must also ensure that all bank employees are vaccinated to protect themselves, their work colleagues and families,” he said.
Esorom also urged banks to make sure the queues were managed at automatic teller machines (ATMs) and that these machines and surrounding areas were sanitised as they were used by many people.
“The surfaces at the ATMs can be a reservoir for the Covid-19 as they are used by a lot of people,” he said.
“Currently, most ATMS are not sanitised. People frequently touch surfaces of ATMs where they can contract the Covid-19.”
He urged banks to liaise with the National Control Centre and come up with a standard operating procedure for Covid-19 workplace safety and operations to minimise the spread of the virus at banks.
Esorom urged people to make sure they were vaccinated as they could get the Covid-19 in crowded places.