Coronavirus: Pakistan to disinfect and 'quarantine' currency notes collected from hospitals

Dubai: Currency notes collected from medical facilities will be cleaned, disinfected and quarantined in Pakistan to prevent coronavirus spread.

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday directed the banks to clean, disinfect, seal and quarantine all currency notes being collected from hospitals and clinics, blocking it from circulation.

Coronavirus cases in Pakistan has jumped to 903 on Tuesday with seven deaths reported in the country.

The SBP held a meeting, chaired by governor Reza Baqir, with banks on Monday through video link to assess their readiness to ensure uninterrupted supply of services to clients in the wake of lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, reported Dawn.

Recognising the need for issuance of disinfected cash by the banks, detailed instructions have been provided by the SBP to the latter, said a press release.

The banks will report daily collection of cash from hospitals to SBP, which will credit the latter’s accounts for the amounts so quarantined by them.

“Further, arrangements are being made to provide sufficient fresh or disinfected cash to banks enabling them to issue fresh cash or the re-issuable cash that remained in quarantine for at least fifteen (15) days to their clients,” the SBP statement said.