"The probability of COVID-19 spread on the banknotes is small. First of all, it is due to long storage of banknotes after encashment. According to the internal regulations of the National Bank, cash coming from second-tier banks can be stored for 45 days, after recalculations- for up to one year," said the message.
According to the World Health Organizations "there is no information about stability of virus on the surfaces".
“The stability of coronavirus in the environment depends on a number of factors, including relative temperature and humidity, as well as the surface material. Given the specifics of the work of cash workers, they are recommended to wash hand regularly. In this regard, it is necessary to comply with the measures recommended by WHO and the Ministry of Health. The least vulnerable payment methods for virus transmission are non-contact. We recommend using non-cash forms of payments in stores/pharmacies. This will reduce the number and level of contacts, and therefore limit the spread of coronavirus," said the statement.
The National Bank drew attention to the fact that "the risk associated with the use of cash does not exceed the risk of touching any other surface, such as handrails, door handles, credit cards and mobile phones."
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