August 14: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has instructed banks and financial institutions (BFIs) to bear the expenses of PCR tests for their staffers.

A notice issued by the central bank on Thursday has directed BFIs to provide salary and other expenses to the employees living in isolation, and arrange additional leave as well as provision to work from home for staffers who are in quarantine.

Likewise, the central bank has also directed the BFIs to provide their service with maximum 50 percent staffsin districts where more than 200 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed.

Meanwhile, an employee at the head office of NRB has tested positive for coronavirus. The employee of the Financial Management Department tested positive for Covid-19 during PCR test on Wednesday. NRB has asked the employee to stay in self-isolation and has also sealed the department where the infected person used to work. The employee was on leave since a week due after complaining of common cold.

The PCR report of 20 other employees of the department turned out negative. According to NRB, they have been asked to stay in self-quarantine for 14 days although their report is negative.

Spokesperson of NRB Dr Gunakar Bhatta informed that everyone in the bank have been adopting precautions and maintaining physical distancing at work.

Other employees of NRB had tested corona positive prior to this as well. An employee of Birgunj-based provincial office of NRB had also tested positive last Sunday.