Saudi Arabia isolates currency notes transferred from abroad
Step is part of multiple strict measures the kingdom has taken to curb spread of disease
Cairo: Saudi Arabia’s Monetary Authority (SAMA) has embarked on isolating all Saudi currency notes transferred to its branches from abroad through banks and money-transporting firms as a precautionary measure against the spread of the new coronavirus, the official Saudi news agency has reported.
“Banknotes, coins as well as other methods of payments do not differ from other things with which we deal on a daily basis such as door handles, trolleys or purchases at markets or airports or surfaces as possible means of transferring viruses,” SAMA said.
The authority added that it is coordinating with relevant agencies inside and outside the kingdom to take all necessary precautionary measures adopted by central banks to handle currencies or other methods of payment when diseases and viruses spread.
Saudi Arabia has confirmed 86 cases of the coronavirus so far.
The country has taken a raft of preventive measures including halting the Umrah trips. On Saturday, the kingdom announced suspending international flights starting from Sunday for two weeks.