Since the beginning of 2021, the Covid-19 epidemic has continued to spread rapidly around the globe. In some of Vietnam’s neighbouring countries, it has been out breaking significantly. Within Vietnam, this disease has started to spread in the community again with worrying new strains of SARS-CoV-2. With the determination to join hands with the Government and the community in the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, Co-opBank has undertaken active measures to prevent and combat the epidemic.
Following Document No. 541/CD-TTg dated April 23rd, 2021 of the Prime Minister on strengthening the implementation of the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic, over the past time, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and the Vietnam Bank Association have issued many drastic instructions for commercial banks and member organizations to implement measures to strengthen epidemic prevention and control and solutions to support and remove difficulties for borrowers affected by the pandemic. Co-opBank has been active in propagating and guiding the disease prevention and control and at the same time fully implemented measures to ensure the health and safety of its staff and customers in the entire Co-opBank system.
Keeping the safe operation of the whole system in mind, since the beginning of the pandemic, Co-opBank has always taken cautious measures and seriously implemented the Government’s instructions and the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and the SBV which is not being negligent and subjective in the prevention and control of the epidemic for the safety of its customers and staff. Over the past year, Co-opBank has done well in epidemic prevention and control, ensuring safe, continuous and smooth banking operations under all situations and support customers to overcome difficulties and restore stable and effective production and business activities.
Co-opBank has promptly directed the implementation of different measures for prevention, control and removal of difficulties caused by the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic and focusing on the review and implementation of solutions to support borrowers who have been affected by the Covid-19 epidemic such as: restructuring the repayment term, interest rate reduction and exemption, maintaining the same loan category as prescribed in Circular No. 01/2020/TT-NHNN dated March 13th, 2020 and Circular No. 03/2021/TT-NHNN dated April 2nd, 2021 by the SBV; providing new loans with preferential interest rates; implementing policies to remove difficulties for borrowers under the Government’s Decree No. 55/2015/ND on credit policies for agriculture and rural areas; setting up risk provisions in accordance with the provisions of Circular 02/2013/TT-NHNN by the SBV. Also it has increased the promotion and communication on non-cash payment to improve consumers’ awareness and behavior when choosing banking products and services in payment transactions in order to reduce transaction load at the counter and the risk of Covid 19, thoroughly implementing solutions to support borrowers in non-cash disbursement and debt collection.
Facing with the complicated development of the epidemic recently, Co-opBank has requested all branches, especially the areas where Covid-19 infections have arisen to draw up plans to respond under any epidemic situation. It has continued to thoroughly grasp and strictly implement the instructions of the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, the Government, the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control, the Ministry of Health, the SBV and local committees and authorities’ regulations on the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic. Co-opBank’s branches in the areas with new cases of infection in the community continue to grasp and implement measures to prevent and control the epidemic in case the city or province is under social distancing.
Co-opBank has continued to strengthen inspection and supervision and organized extensive propaganda to raise awareness of the Covid 19, its dangerous causes and harmful effects; affirming its staff efforts and determination at all levels in Covid 19 prevention thereby raising the awareness and responsibility of each individual in protecting the health of themselves and the surrounding community. All units must be ready to actively activate the backup plan to ensure Co-opBank’s continuous operation.
Each Co-opBank’s staff must raise their awareness and responsibility by strictly following the 5K guidance of the Ministry of Health and the directives of the Government, the SBV and Co-opBank itself on the epidemic prevention and control measures, avoiding unnecessary mass gatherings and activities, wearing a mask in public places, events with large gatherings, etc. Any staff that has travelled to areas with new Covid 19 cases must report to the head office, make medical declarations and take prevention measures under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and local health authorities. Those which are considered to carry a high risk must be isolated at home, tested for SARS-CoV-2 according to regulations of the authorities.
Over the past time, Co-opBank’s employees have always promoted their roles and responsibilities and set an example in joining hands to protect and improve community health proving that Co-opBank has always been at the forefront of social welfare movements and social activities. More than ever, this is the time when Co-opBank staff need to further promote the spirit of vigilance against the epidemic, join hands with the Government and the community to be ready and proactive in responding to the pandemic under any circumstance for the health and safety of themselves, their families and the community.
