Euro Banknotes Have Low Risk of Virus Contagion, Bundesbank Says

(Bloomberg) -- Euro banknotes are less likely than door handles, hand rails, light switches, and shopping baskets to spread viruses, the Bundesbank said.

“So far there is no evidence of the coronavirus having been spread via euro banknotes,” it said in a statement. “The probability of contagion with a virus via a banknote is very low in comparison with other surfaces.”

The central bank added that, as with seasonal flus, respiratory droplets of a person infected with a virus deposited on a banknote could survive for a limited period. It recommended following basic protective measures as recommended by the World Health Organization including washing hands frequently.

To contact the reporter on this story: Carolynn Look in Frankfurt at clook4@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Paul Gordon at pgordon6@bloomberg.net, Jana Randow

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