Banknotes can spread coronavirus who warns

A timely and important question!

Yes, banknotes can potentially spread coronavirus, and several health organizations and experts have warned about this risk. Here are some of them:

  1. World Health Organization (WHO): In a statement issued in March 2020, the WHO acknowledged that banknotes could potentially spread COVID-19, particularly in areas with high population density and poor ventilation.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC has also warned about the potential for banknotes to spread COVID-19, citing the virus's ability to survive on surfaces for several days.
  3. European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC): The ECDC has stated that banknotes can potentially spread COVID-19, especially in areas with high foot traffic and poor ventilation.
  4. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID): Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of NIAID, has warned about the potential for banknotes to spread COVID-19, citing the virus's ability to survive on surfaces.
  5. The Lancet: A study published in The Lancet in March 2020 found that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can survive on banknotes for up to 28 days.

The risk of transmission through banknotes is thought to be low, but it's not zero. The virus can survive on surfaces, including banknotes, for several days, and people can potentially contract COVID-19 by touching contaminated banknotes and then touching their face.

To reduce the risk of transmission through banknotes, many countries have implemented measures such as:

It's essential to note that the risk of transmission through banknotes is just one aspect of the overall risk of COVID-19 transmission. Other factors, such as close contact with an infected person, poor ventilation, and inadequate hygiene practices, also play a significant role in the spread of the virus.