Beginning Tuesday December 22, all bank branches except the ones in Musanze District will be closing at 4 p.m. during weekdays in order to observe recent Covid-19 guidelines issued by the government to contain the pandemic.

The measures among others include prohibiting movements from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting with Tuesday, December 22 all the way through January 4.

According to a statement by Rwanda Bankers’ Association (RBA), branches in Musanze District will be closing at 3 p.m.

The decision is in line with the government’s directive to increase curfew hours in the district, a decision that is normally taken when a specific area is found to be a hotspot of Covid-19.

In the area, movements are prohibited from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m.

According to Diane Karusisi, Vice-Chairperson of the Bankers’ Association, the new guidelines seek to ensure that clients and banks’ staff observe the set Covid-19 directives.

"We want to close earlier so that our staff in the bank and clients as well can arrive at their respective homes earlier before the curfew hours,” she told The New Times on Saturday, December 19.

However, as per the Association, weekend hours will remain the same and all electronic channels like ATM among others will remain available to facilitate banking needs.

Normally, during weekends, banks close earlier than during weekdays.