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The World Health Organisation (WHO) have advised people to use contactless payments instead of cash to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. The WHO advises the public to wash their hands after handling money, especially if handling or eating food. But they haven’t issued a warning about using banknotes. Banknotes may be spreading the new coronavirus so people should try to use contactless payments instead, the World Health Organization has said The Telegraph, 2 March 2020 World Health Organization has advised public against using paper money The Daily Mail, 8 March 2020 An article in the Telegraph claims that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that the Covid-19 coronavirus may be spreading via banknotes, and that the WHO had warned people to wash their hands after using banknotes. Citing this article, other news outlets have made similar claims. But other outlets have also quoted the WHO as denying the story. The Telegraph article quotes a WHO spokesperson as saying, in reply to a question about whether banknotes could be spreading the new coronavirus: Yes it’s possible and it’s a good question. We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses ... when possible it’s a good idea to use contactless payments. We don’t doubt that the Telegraph’s report is an accurate account of the conversation, but the WHO have since clarified to Full Fact that this did not amount to an official warning about banknotes. Their current official advice, received in an email to Full Fact, is below. Prevention starts with 10 basic things you can do: Find out what you can do in your community. Discuss how to stay safe with your workplace, school or place of worship. We have also written about what to do to avoid infection by Covid-19 here. The latest NHS guidance can be found here.
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