FCMB Speaks On Suspected COVID-19 Incident At One Of Its Branches

FCMB has reacted to the suspected COVID-19 incident that occurred at the bank’s branch at Onipanu, Lagos State.

The bank explained the circumstances that led to one of its customers collapsing while trying to withdraw at the ATM (Automated Teller Machine).

According to a statement released by FCMB and seen by Allnews, the bank doused the claim that the middle-aged man had collapsed due to symptoms related to COVID-19. The incident had occurred on the first day banks are reopening after a long closure due to the lockdown directive from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Banks, including FCMB, had been on skeleton operation for over a month before reopening to the public on May 4, 2020, as Nigeria eases the lockdown gradually. While the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases continue to rise, the country is opening its economy due to the negative impact coronavirus has had on livelihoods and households.

COVID-19 outbreak across the world and Nigeria has increased anxiety as regards health conditions, and any symptoms related to the virus causes panic among people. This is why other customers at the FCMB Onipanu branch took to their heels after the man collapsed. It was learnt that prior to the incident, the customer had initially had his temperature checked and was seen to be normal before he was given sanitizer in line with FCMB’s COVID-19 pandemic safety measure.

Allnews had reported that a customer collapsed at FCMB at the ATM spot, with report suggesting that the unnamed customer developed a high temperature and couldn’t breathe with ease, resulting in chaos at the bank. But while addressing the report, FCMB said the customer had collapsed after showing signs of fatigue.

Security personnel took him to their post, and upon enquiry, FCMB said the customer told the bank official that, “he had not had anything to eat and had been waiting in line for a short while. After resting and eating some snacks, he regained his strength and left the branch on his own.”

While FCMB didn’t state if the customer’s temperature was checked before he exited the bank, the lender asserted that, “At no point did the customer exhibit any symptoms of respiratory distress, difficulty in breathing or high temperature.”