People should avoid using cash during the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak to prevent the transmission of the deadly disease, according to the World Health Association (WHO).
Shoppers should instead pay using contactless cards to avoid catching coronavirus from a dirty banknote or coin, and if using cash is unavoidable, washing your hands immediately after touching them is advised.
Cash changes hands hundreds or even thousands of times during circulation and can pick up all kinds of dirt and bugs in the process. Experts say that coronavirus could latch onto currency in the same way that it is able to live on hard surfaces like doorknobs, handrails and toilet handles.
So by using contactless cards – which have only been touched by the individual – shoppers can protect themselves from catching the virus.
Touching surfaces contaminated by a carrier of the virus who has coughed or sneezed onto their hand is thought to be the most common cause of the virus’ spread.
The latest figures show that almost 3,300 people in the UK have tested positive for coronavirus so far, and there has been 144 deaths.
Worldwide, there have been almost 300,000 cases and more than 10,000 deaths from the illness to date.
The WHO’s advice is for people to wash their hands at least five times a day with soap and water or hand sanitiser. Friction, experts say, is the key to scrubbing off any signs of infection.
Click here to find out about Card Saver’s contactless options.
