I RECENTLY visited a private bank’s branch at Sharah-i-Noor Jahan to process an urgent payment. I was shocked to see the entire branch packed with people (at least a couple of dozen) in a dangerously close proximity.

The bank had issues with its online system and was taking a long time to serve customers. After a wait of almost one hour, the customers started complaining about the delay, and to my utter surprise, one of the staff members asked an aged person that he might be asked to leave the branch since he was not wearing a mask.

When I protested over it, questioning why the management allowed him to enter the branch in the first place and why no bank official informed customers that owing to technical issues there would be a delay in serving them, the staff rudely responded that it was people’s responsibility to observe social distancing, not theirs.

Furthermore, they told me that if I was not feeling safe inside the bank, I could leave instead of complaining and creating panic.

My simple question is: why are not there clear guidelines to bank branches regarding social distancing? How can a branch keep dozens of people sitting together for hours side by side?

How can a staff member rudely inform a senior citizen (aged above 65) that he might be asked to leave for not wearing a mask after being in the bank for at least an hour?

Social distancing is indeed practised by people, but banks should also enforce measures like restricting the number of entries and making sure people stand or sit at a safe distance as per the health guidelines.

Unfortunately, it is not practised by the branch nor does the staff think it is their responsibility. It is time for their top management to ensure health and safety procedures are communicated and enforced at all bank branches.

Khalil Zafar
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2020