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.”
According to notice, this decision is in line with other measures taken to control the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
“All Chief Managers are advised to disseminate these instructions to all concerned officials for information and meticulous compliance,” the statement added.
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.
