KATHMANDU: Considering the outspreading coronavirus pandemic, Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has directed the commercial banks to operate with only six branches in the capital valley.

Issuing a statement on Monday, NRB directed all the banks and financial institutions to operate with the minimum number of staffs and the branches in the valley.

NRB directed the commercial banks to operate through three branches in Kathmandu, two in Lalitpur and one in Bhaktapur, and operate with the minimum number of staffs as far as possible.

Similarly, it instructed the development banks and financial institutions to operate through four and three branches only. It has advised to operate these branches alternately.

NRB informed that the directives are meant to act collaboratively in the national efforts to curb and control the COVID-19 pandemic.