Contactless transactions more popular than ever in the UK as coronavirus bites

Most Brits, so far, have been getting on with coronavirus, but the atmosphere is starting to change. Shaking hands is already out of fashion, so handing over cash, even if it is the new 20 pound note. Instead they are paying by card.

• Mass gatherings cancelled as coronavirus spreads
• Coronavirus v the flu: What’s the difference?

My wallet is lighter this week but I haven’t been spending big on Panadol and hand sanitiser.

The first new plastic £20 has greased my palms and I’m feeling short-changed.

Until a few days ago, the oversized, crinkly paper notes were brilliant to try to stuff into my wallet.

There was something about the feel of the paper between your fingers and the sound that reminded me of the same notes from my childhood in Australia.

I still remember paper $2 notes, which are long gone.

On a school trip to Note Printing Australia in Craigieburn in Melbourne, which is close to 25 years ago now, I saw some of the first plastic $5 notes coming off the presses.

That memory says a lot about the pace of change here in the land of the Queen, stiff upper lips, and rain.

The new 20-pound banknote has received a mixed reaction. Picture: Bloomberg via Getty Images

For a country, or the capital at least in London, that is on the forefront of the world’s trends, a lot of things stay the same.

There’s mixed reactions to the notes.

Staff at my local cafe love them, particularly as there were concerns about fraud over here and they were forced to check if they were genuine.

That caution also reminds me of just how high wages are in Australia, compared to the UK.

But the cash economy is also fading here.

The local hairdressers has gone cash free, according to a sign in its window.

A bartender at the pub on the weekend automatically put the transaction on card, even though I had one of those slippery £20 notes in my hand.

Contactless transactions may become even more popular for hospitality staff in the coming weeks, as the UK gets ready for its coronavirus peak.

MORE NEWS:

Aussie shares rebound in massive comeback

Coronavirus: Australia ‘should let Chinese students back in’

Aussie jazz legend dead at 91

Where to find Samsung’s $200k treasure hunt clues

People walking in front of local shops and restaurants in Broadway Market, East London, on a sunny day.

Shaking hands is already out of fashion, so handing over cash, even if it is new, will be another infection risk.

Most Brits, so far, have been getting on with coronavirus, but the atmosphere is starting to change.

People are asking how are you as a genuine assessment of how likely it is you will infect them, rather than just being polite.

Friends are cancelling dinners when they have a cold and schools keep sending out coronavirus updates.

With Italy in lockdown and Ireland announcing it was closing schools until March 29, there’s likely to be more restrictions here.

Until then, I’m going to hunt down a vintage £20 paper note as a souvenir.

Originally published as Contactless transactions more popular than ever in the UK as coronavirus bites