WHO urges switch to contactless to slow virus transmission

The World Health Organisation is advising consumers to avoid handling bank notes and instead switch to contactless payments to deter the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

5 comments

WHO urges switch to contactless to slow virus transmission

Editorial

This content has been selected, created and edited by the Finextra editorial team based upon its relevance and interest to our community.

The WHO's advice comes after China and Korea began isolating and disinfecting used bank notes, which are known carriers of viruses and bacteria.

A 2017 study of used bank notes in New York found 397 distinct bacterial species crawling across the bills.

A World Health Organisation spokesperson told The Telegraph: 'We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses.

'We would advise people to wash their hands after handling banknotes, and avoid touching their face.

'When possible it would also be advisable to use contactless payments to reduce the risk of transmission.'

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Comments: (5)

Neil Galbally

Neil Galbally Payments Industry Manager at Virgin Money

Worrying advice if you're a teller, front of house in a banking retail outlet!!

A Finextra member 

Brett King wrote an article here years ago about Ebola and cashless and was criticized. Now WHO made the same suggestion, like to see the naysayers of Mr. King original comment speak on this. 

Russell Bell

Russell Bell Director at Fastbase Ltd

The coronavirus crisis is hastening the race to zero interest rates and beyond.  You can't have negative interest rates without banning cash, everyone has known this for years.  The PR war on cash marches on.  On a different subject, why is the media painting coronavirus as the sole cause of present financial carnage ?  p.s. I don't know what Mr King or his critics said.

Wenceslao Fernandez Jr

Wenceslao Fernandez Jr Lead at NA

Music to the likes of Visa's ears

A Finextra member 

Russell,

https://www.finextra.com/blogposting/10088/why-ebola-might-kill-cash

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