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The memo, signed by the Chief General Manager- Human Resources of the bank, notes that staff will be initially required to pay for the facility which can be later claimed for re-imbursement, under the \u201c100% reimbursement scheme for staff and family members\u201d As per Apollo Hospital\u2019s agreement for converting hotels into isolation, daily tariff for SBI\u2019s employees would range from Rs 1500 to Rs 4500, which includes Medical Supervision along with other facilities. <\/p>\n
Addressed to the Chief General Manager\u2019s of SBI\u2019s local branches in Ahmedabad, Chennai, Maharashtra, Mumbai Metro and New Delhi, the memo further asks the notice to be circulated amongst staff members under their heads, \u201cto ensure that they do not face the problem of non-availability of beds in the event of being tested COVID positive.\u201d <\/p>\n
Banks, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, have continued to operate albeit with skeletal staff, due to their essential service nature. According to unverified estimates put forth by bank unions, more than 60 staff of SBI are reported to have been infected with the virus, with 7 staff succumbing to COVID-19. These claims could not however be independently verified. In May 2020, SBI kept its headquarters in Mumbai closed for two days after 2 employees of the lender tested positive for COVID-19. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n