Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today allowed financial institutions to function within restrictions from August 1-August 31, 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter, the Finance Department asked the District Collectors, SPs and SLBC General Manager to allow the public sector banks, private sector banks, RRBs, Odisha State Co-operative Bank, small finance bank and insurance companies to function as per normal banking hour for customers with 50% staff for the large branches. The letter, however, stated full staff for the small branches having less than five employees must be allowed to function following strict social distancing, use of mask and hand sanitizers. Also, Clearing House, Controlling Office of banks, SEBI, Controlling Heads of insurance companies and RBI are allowed to operate as per normal functioning time with 50% of staff. The order further said capital and debt market services as notified by the Security and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) are allowed to function as per normal functioning time with 50% of staff. This apart, cash-in transit companies, ATM maintenance companies and staff of NPCI are allowed to function during normal banking hours. NBFC/RBI regulated MFIs are allowed to operate in the State as per normal functioning time with 50% staff in their offices, observing strict norms of social distancing, use of mask and sanitisers. “Postal employees and bank employees are allowed to move to the premises of senior citizen and differently abled persons, if going to deliver cash on phone calls, during normal banking hours following strict use of masks, hand sanitizers and maintaining social distancing,” the letter read.