Coronavirus: Bahrain orders forex firms to sterilise banknotes

Cairo: Bahrain’s central bank has instructed foreign exchange companies in the kingdom to sterilise local and overseas currencies as part of precautions against the spread of the novel coronavirus, Bahraini media said Tuesday.

The instructions include exposing banknotes to ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, high temperatures or isolating them for at least three days, Al Bilad newspaper reported.

The bank also requested all forex firms to make sure that their employees wear protective gear while receiving and transferring coins in line with the Health Ministry’s related instructions, the paper said.

The measures are aimed at protecting the well-being of banking workers and customers from the rapidly spreading virus, it added.

Bahrain has recorded two deaths from the COVID-19 among a total of 377 infections.