From now on, the use of mobile phones inside bank branches will be illegal in São Paulo city

The mayor of Sao Paulo, Gilberto Kassab, signed legislation banning cell phone use in banks and at ATMs in the city. This law was signed on August 26, 2011 and is now official. However, this law has not yet taken effect, because the banks still have to adapt to the new rules.

The fine will be R$ 2,500

The main goal of the new law is to reduce the occurrence of muggings against customers as soon as they leave the bank. According to the official information, it will be illegal to make and receive calls. Not even text messages will be allowed.

This prohibition is already law in two other cities in São Paulo State (Campinas and Franca). This is not a state law.

[source: estadao]