Could coronavirus be spreading on banknotes? Here's everything you need to know

Monday, 9th March 2020, 1:55 pm
Updated Monday, 9th March 2020, 2:30 pm

The advice is clear - washing your hands with soap and water is the most effective way to stop the spread of coronavirus, as well as many other viruses and bacterial infections.

But there is one thing we carry on our person, that according to the Guardian can change hands over two thousands times in its lifetime and carry germs with it - money.

The world is moving quickly towards a cashless world, but paper money is still very much a large part of our economy and that isn't going to change any time soon. Is handling cash dangerous for people while virus is spreading across the world?

Are we handling dirty money?


With the uncertainty, perhaps using contactless transactions on your phone or via contactless card are the best way to avoid catching and spreading the disease. The famous Louvre art gallery in Paris recently declined cash payments after it closed to the public on 1 March, to help stop the spread of the virus.

'Washing your hands thoroughly is the answer, not contactless payment'

Michael Knight, assistant professor of medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine, told CNBC that “getting coronavirus, or other respiratory viruses like influenza, on your hands only leads to infection when it is transferred from your hand to places like your mouth, nose or eyes.

"Additionally, if you stick to contactless payments but don’t wash your hands after touching your phone, credit card or a payment terminal, you are still susceptible to potential infection.”


In fact, health authorities are telling people how to clean their phones properly. Studies have shown that people pick up their phone around 76 times, and touch it over 2,5000 times a day. Another demonstrated that an average teenagers phone contains 17,000 different bacteria.

Washing credit cards and mobile phones is good practice, especially during a viral outbreak, but washing your hands is the best defence against Covid-19.

Coronavirus: the facts

What is coronavirus?


What caused coronavirus?


How is it spread?


What are the symptoms?


What precautions can be taken?


Should I avoid public places?


What should I do if I feel unwell?


When to call NHS 111


Sources: World Health Organisation and NHS