Access Bank Shuts Down Lagos Branch after Visitor Tests Positive for COVID-19

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Ligali Ayorinde branch of Access Bank Plc in Victoria Island, Lagos has been temporarily closed by management of the financial institution after a visitor tested positive for the coronavirus disease also known as COVID-19.

The visitor, a former employee of Access Bank, who returned from the United Kingdom recently, was said to have checked into the banking hall on Monday, March 16, 2020 and was then not exhibiting any symptom of the disease, but later tested positive and has been taken to the Isolation Centre in Yaba for monitoring.

In a statement issued today, Access Bank said, “We have confirmed that an individual who visited our Ligali Ayorinde branch on Monday, March 16, 2020, has tested positive for coronavirus.

“He was symptom-free as at the time of visit and he is currently being monitored at an Isolation Centre in Yaba.”

In a internal memo to members of staff of the bank, the Group Head of Corporate Communications at Access Bank, Mr Amaechi Okobi, stressed that all gym, creche, staff canteens and lunchrooms will be closed from Monday. Staff were advised to bring their food from home.

Staff have also been barred from moving “across locations” and were told to stay on their respective floors.

Mr Okobi also said all meetings will take place online. It also advised employees returning from leave “to self-report and/or self isolate as they resume using the staff Staff Travel Declaration” form.

In another statement issued by the Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, Access Bank advised that, “If you have symptoms like coughing, sneezing, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever, or suspect that you have been infected by COVID-19, please call the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on 080097000010 or SMS 08099555577.”