Money Handling a Concern During Coronavirus Pandemic

As professional cleaners and average citizens have increased their cleaning efforts to eliminate the coronavirus from surfaces, one commonly handled item has come under scrutiny—cash.

In China, where the coronavirus is believed to have originated, the country’s central bank was deep cleaning or destroying potentially infected cash.

Businesses deal with currency daily, and in an effort to stop the spread of pathogens some reopening facilities, such as restaurants and shops, have requested that patrons use electronic payment, so facility workers do not have to handle cash. Should your company consider not accepting currency during the pandemic?

A recent survey of United Kingdom residents conducted between May 22-26 has found that survey respondents have gone 44 days on average without using cash during the coronavirus crisis. One-fifth of respondents, or 20%, admit to cleaning their cash due to concerns about germs. Most of those who tried to clean their cash used anti-bacterial wipes, although some used soap and water or even a washing machine.

Other survey findings include:

• 27% of people say they have gone for two months or more without using any notes or coins to pay for goods and services
• 32% said they do not remember the last time they bought anything with cash
• Among those who can remember the last time they used cash, the average reply was 44 days earlier.
• 50% say they will use cash less often in future, either by finding other ways to pay or by shopping or paying for services online
• Women were more likely to have reduced their use of cash (68% compared to 56% of men)
• People older than 55 were more likely to have decreased their cash usage (75%) compared with 48% of 16- to 24-year-olds and 57% of 35- to 44-year-olds.