New Delhi: The World Health Organization (WHO) has exhorted individuals to utilize contactless technology instead rather than money as banknotes might be spreading coronavirus,
The irresistible COVID-19 infection could be carried on the surface of banknotes for a few days, the WHO cautioned on Monday night, Yahoo detailed. To stop the spread of the sickness, individuals should utilize use contactless payments where possible and wash their hands after handling cash, a WHO spokesman said.
The Bank of England also recognised that banknotes “can carry bacteria or viruses” and encouraged frequent hand washing.disinfecting and isolating used banknotes as part of efforts to stem the spread of the deadly virus.
Ultraviolet light or high temperature is being used to disinfect and sterilise banknotes, before the cash is sealed and stored for up to 14 days before being recirculated, China’s central bank said at a press conference.
A Bank of England source said there were no designs to do likewise in the UK. A Bank of England representative told the Telegraph: “Like some other surface that enormous quantities of individuals come into contact with, notes can convey microscopic organisms or infections.
“However, the risk posed by handling a polymer note is no greater than touching any other common surface, such as handrails, doorknobs or credit cards.”Coronavirus can be spread through contaminated objects as well as droplets and direct contact with infected patients, the WHO said.
“We realize that cash changes hands often and can get a wide range of microscopic organisms and infections,” a representative advised the Telegraph.We would encourage individuals to wash their hands subsequent to taking care of banknotes, and abstain from contacting their face.
When possible it would also be advisable to use contactless payments to reduce the risk of transmission.”It is not yet known how long the coronavirus can survive outside the human body.It has been suggested that human coronaviruses can remain infectious on contaminated objects for as long as nine days at room temperature in an analysis of 22 earlier studies of similar viruses, including Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) published online this month in the Journal of Hospital Infection.However, common disinfectants can swiftly remove them, and they may also be destroyed by high temperatures, the authors wrote. It is not yet clear whether the new coronavirus also behaves in this way.
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