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A man leaves an automated teller machine outside a bank in Riyadh. Banks in Saudi Arabia will open again next week as the kingdom gradually moves towards restoring normal life.Image Credit: Reuters

COVID-19: Banks to open again in Saudi Arabia

Financial facilities to comply with health precautions

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Cairo: Banks in Saudi Arabia will open again starting next week as the kingdom is gradually moving to restoration of normal life, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (SAMA) has said.

Earlier this week, Saudi authorities announced a phased plan loosening curbs earlier imposed to fight the novel coronavirus.

According to the plan, all branches of banks and money transfer centres will resume their work according to normal working hours beginning Sunday, while complying with health precautions to guarantee a safe work environment, SAMA told Saudi daily newspaper Okaz.

The return will be gradual at each bank’s discretion, it added.

“All work will normally resume at public departments with emphasis on equipping all workplaces in line with regulations and instructions related to preventive and precautionary measures,” SAMA added.

The move comes in compliance with decisions announced on Tuesday easing some restrictions against the coronavirus.

Starting from Sunday, movement will be allowed daily from 6am (7am UAE time) until 8pm across Saudi Arabia, except in the holy city of Mecca. Also, domestic air travel will resume on Sunday when all employees return to their workplaces.