Measures take effect on 24 March and include changing branch opening hours and closing branches in São Paulo and Rio

São Paulo, 19 March 2020 
With a view to strengthening the safety of both its customers and employees and minimising the spread of the coronavirus, from next Tuesday (24/03), Santander Brazil will close some of its branches in the metropolitan areas of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where the highest number of covid-19 cases has been recorded. The opening times for the branches in operation across the country will be reduced by two hours, i.e. 10.00 to 14.00.  

The measures also include allowing gradual customer access to branches, in groups of 10 to 20 people at a time depending on the branch's size, so as to ensure the minimum safety distance of one metre. Additionally, branches with a higher number of pensioners or elderly customers may reserve a specific time slot (9.00 to 10.00) for these particularly vulnerable groups to go to the branches. 

The Bank has previously announced the advance payment of 100% of the extra pay (13th salary) to its employees and it will offer a credit facility to corporate customers that decide to adopt the same measure to support their employees.

Some of the employees from the branches to be closed will go on collective annual leaves of 15 days. After this period, they will be alternate with other units so that service is maintained in the two cities. As for the administrative side, the bank has reinforced its hygienisation and cleaning measures and increased the number of employees working from home. 

"We've made every effort to minimise the impact on our communities amid an inevitably worsening crisis. At the moment, nothing is more important than the wellbeing of the families of our 48,000 employees and of the 26 million families we serve on a daily basis", stated Sérgio Rial, chair of Santander Brazil.