The Tagbilaran branch of China Banking Corporation (Chinabank) is “closing banking operations” for 14 days, according to the officer-in-charge of the local branch.
In a telephone interview, Lira Ramirez, officer-in-charge of the local Chinabank branch said that it is “not a lockdown”; it is just that Chinabank Tagbilaran branch personnel were “advised to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days”.
Ramirez further said the following: “Our branch is scheduled for disinfection and sanitation.”
Moreover, Ramirez said that the branch is “closed for banking operations from June 8 to June 19.”
In her statement, Ramirez emphasized that: “The schedule for disinfection is coordinated with the head office. Naa na mi na contact nga mofacilitate the disinfection. Ang amo nalang gihuwat is ang time kon kanus-a sila (the disinfection contractor) maka disinfect sa branch.”
Ramirez also said that the disinfection will happen within next week. Ramirez said the reason for closing the branch operation is because of “compromised ang health protocols.” She did not elaborate any further on the following concerns: 1. What is meant by health protocols of the bank?2. Which health protocols are being compromised?
Ramirez also said: “Sa pagkakaron, I don’t think I am privileged to disclose any information, kay ang ipabutang lang na notice sa amoang branch is closed for intensive sanitation and disinfection.”
As for the bank’s automated teller machines, these machines, she said, will continue to be operational but any issues or problems that may occur within the next 14 days, the Chinabank branch personnel, they being under self-quarantine, may not be able to be of service to the clients. This also means that these personnel may not be able to troubleshoot the problem.
The Bohol Tribune did not get any disclosure whether or not, the reason for the “closed bank operations” of Tagbilaran Chinabank could be associated to and with the Covid positive case reported in Tagbilaran. The Bohol Tribune did not also get any information if the Covid 19 positive patient, or any member of her family belonging to what they call as the “first generation” in contact tracing, made several transactions with the bank in the past few days prior to the revelation that there is a confirmed positive case of Covid infection.
To recall, last Thursday, two (2) Boholanos tested positive for the Covid 19 virus. One is from Calape and the other is a 65-year-old woman who is a resident of barangay Dao. The latter tested positive of Covid via the RR-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test. The patient was tested while admitted at the Allied Care Experts Medical Center. She was admitted more than 10 days ago and was scheduled to be discharged but the PCR results just came on Thursday. Due to the positive results of her RT-PCR test, health authorities thought it proper and wise that she should stay in the hospital for a quarantine good for 14 days.