A realistic transfer method reveals low risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via contaminated euro coins and banknotes

Todt, Daniel; Meister, Toni Luise; Tamele, Barbora; Howes, John; Paulmann, Dajana; Becker, Britta; Brill, Florian H.; Wind, Mark; Schijven, Jack; Heinen, Natalie; Kinast, Volker; Mhlekude, Baxolele; Goffinet, Christine; Krawczyk, Adalbert; Steinmann, Jörg; Pfaender, Stephanie; Brüggemann, Yannick; Steinmann, Eike

The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created a significant threat to global health. While respiratory aerosols or droplets are considered as the main route of human-to-human transmission, secretions expelled by infected individuals can also contaminate surfaces and objects, potentially creating the risk of fomite-based transmission. Consequently, frequently touched objects such as paper currency and coins have been suspected as potential transmission vehicle. To assess the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission by banknotes and coins, we examined the stability of SARS-CoV-2 and bovine coronavirus (BCoV), as surrogate with lower biosafety restrictions, on these different means of payment and developed a touch transfer method to examine transfer efficiency from contaminated surfaces to fingertips. Although we observed prolonged virus stability, our results indicate that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via contaminated coins and banknotes is unlikely and requires high viral loads and a timely order of specific events.