Several banks in Hong Kong have decided to close their branches following the recent spike in Covid-19 cases.
The move comes after the Asian financial hub reported more than 100 new coronavirus cases in the last 24-hour period.
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According to a Reuters report, Bank of China (Hong Kong) suspended operations at nine branches.
HSBC has closed two business centres for commercial banking and three mobile branches. It also reduced working hours at all its locations.
Earlier, HSBC subsidiary Hang Seng Bank temporarily suspended operations at one branch after one of its employees tested Covid-19 positive.
Additionally, Standard Chartered and Bank of East Asia will trim branch opening hours.
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By GlobalDataThis comes a week after the banks told staff to work from home to reduce contagion risks.
During the first wave of Covid-19 in January, the Hong Kong banks undertook similar steps closing down several branches. Later the bank reopened the locations after the situation improved.
After the recent spike, the government also further tightened coronavirus related restrictions. It closed amusement parks, gyms and other venues for another seven days.
Overall, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong is now nearing 2,000. The death toll stands at 12.
Globally, the disease has infected more than 14 million people and killed around 606,200.
