The World Health Organisation’s spokeswoman Fadela Chaib sought
to clarify comments in a widely cited article in the U.K media reporting
that the WHO had said banknotes may be spreading the new coronavirus and customers
should wash their hands after touching banknotes because infectious Covid-19
may cling to the surface for a number of days.
to clarify comments in a widely cited article in the U.K media reporting
that the WHO had said banknotes may be spreading the new coronavirus and customers
should wash their hands after touching banknotes because infectious Covid-19
may cling to the surface for a number of days.
The
report in the British media said the WHO had suggested customers use
contactless payments instead.
report in the British media said the WHO had suggested customers use
contactless payments instead.
“WHO
did NOT say banknotes would transmit COVID-19, we issued any warnings or
statements about this,” Chaib said in an email.
did NOT say banknotes would transmit COVID-19, we issued any warnings or
statements about this,” Chaib said in an email.
“We
were asked if we thought banknotes could transmit COVID-19 and we said you
should wash your hands after handling money, especially if handling or eating
food.” Doing so is “good hygiene practice,” she added.
were asked if we thought banknotes could transmit COVID-19 and we said you
should wash your hands after handling money, especially if handling or eating
food.” Doing so is “good hygiene practice,” she added.
COVID-19, a respiratory disease caused by the new virus
SARS-CoV-2, had sickened at least 101,601 people and killed 3,460 worldwide as
of Friday afternoon, with most cases occurring in mainland China, according to
data compiled by Johns Hopkins University’s center for systems Science and
engineering.
SARS-CoV-2, had sickened at least 101,601 people and killed 3,460 worldwide as
of Friday afternoon, with most cases occurring in mainland China, according to
data compiled by Johns Hopkins University’s center for systems Science and
engineering.
The U.S. had at least 259 confirmed cases and 14 deaths as of
Friday evening.
Friday evening.
Concerns have mounted over whether currency might play role in
spreading the virus.
spreading the virus.
A U.S. Federal Reserve spokesperson told Reuters on Friday that
the banking system had started quarantining dollars from Asia prior to their
re-circulation, with regional Fed banks putting aside the physical currency for
seven to 10 days as a precautionary step.
the banking system had started quarantining dollars from Asia prior to their
re-circulation, with regional Fed banks putting aside the physical currency for
seven to 10 days as a precautionary step.
The WHO also said that “the disease can spread from
person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread
when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales,” and recommends keeping more
than three feet away from a sick person.
person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread
when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales,” and recommends keeping more
than three feet away from a sick person.
People
can possibly get the disease by touching an infected object or surface “and
then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes,” but experts don’t
believe this is the main mode of transmission, the CDC says.
can possibly get the disease by touching an infected object or surface “and
then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes,” but experts don’t
believe this is the main mode of transmission, the CDC says.