In a statement last night, President Mnangagwa said it was important for the banking sector to adapt their operations to the emergency situation spawned by the national lockdown designed to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The President’s directive comes at a time when people were struggling to access Diaspora remittances from relatives abroad.

“In view of the ongoing Covid-19-related national lockdown, and following concerns from users of money transfer services, I have now directed the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (Dr John Mangudya) to immediately address constraints around this essential financial service,” he said.

Central Bank governor John Mangudya has immediately complied.

Below is the statement from the RBZ:

PRESS STATEMENT ON PROVISION OF INTERNATIONAL REMITTANCE SERVICES BY MONEY TRANSFER AGENCIES DURING THE NATIONAL COVID-19 LOCKDOWN PERIOD

Further to His Excellency the President’s Directive of 6 April 2020 on the need to provide critical services to the public during the National Lockdown period, and in light of the feedback from the recipients of diaspora remittances, the Bank wishes to advise the public that the following additional services will be provid. by Money Transfer Agencies (MIAs) during the Lockdown Period as follows: –

• MTAs with branches operating in retail outlets shall, with effect from Wednesday the 8th of April 2020, operate daily within the timelines prescribed for opening of retail outlets or shops; and

• MTAs owned by banks and those with own banking halls and branches outside banks and retail outlets or shops, shall open for business three times a week, that is, on Tuesday to Thursday, between 0900 and 1 500hrs. To allow for operational adjustment, this directive takes effect from Wednesday the 8th of April 2020.

The decision in respect of the extension of the above services is to allow for the receipt of foreign currency remittances which cannot be transacted on any digital or electronic platforms.

In order to prevent and mitigate the spread of Covid- 19, MTAs shall be required to spread remittance payout access points and to strictly observe the social distancing guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Child Care and the World Health Organisation from time to time.

John P Mangudya Governor

6 April 2020