Can paying contactless rather than with notes and coins slow COVID-19?

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People using contactless payments instead of traditional cash, such as banknotes, can help slow the spread of COVID-19, it has been suggested.

The outbreak of the virus has so far infected more than 90,000 people globally and killed more than 3,000, according to official World Heath Organization statistics.

The virus is known to survive on surfaces for at least several hours.

Both China and South Korea have taken action to disinfect coins and notes.

The measures, which were announced by the People's Bank of China, now mean that Chinese banks must launder their cash, disinfect it and store it for seven to 14 days before it is once again released into circulation.

The

World Health Organization highlighted the widespread use of contactless payment systems

in China as part of the hi-tech response to the virus.