Banks shut branches as employees contact coronavirus patient

Two banks Union and Access Banks have closed some of their branches in Lagos State.

Union Bank closed its branch at Ikota, Lagos after its employee had a contact with a “now confirmed” case of novel coronavirus three weeks ago.

The bank said another employee at the same branch was at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards on March 14. Lagos State Government said the event was attended by someone who later tested positive for coronavirus. It advised everyone who attended the industry event to self-isolate.

Union Bank said in a statement on Tuesday evening, “Neither of the involved persons or others in the branch have exhibited any symptoms.

“However, all staff of the branch have been advised to self-isolate with immediate effect.”

According to the statement, the branch will undergo a “deep hygiene clean-up” and will reopen with a new set of relief employees while the current ones isolate.

In a related development, Access Bank, closed its branch at Ligali Ayorinde in Victoria Island on Monday, after a former staff of the bank who visited the branch tested positive for coronavirus.

in a statement on Monday, Access Bank said, “We have confirmed that an individual who visited our Ligali Ayorinde branch on Monday 16th March 2020, has tested positive for coronavirus.

“He was symptom-free as at the time of visit and he is currently being monitored at an Isolation Centre in Yaba.”