Contactless payments rising to £45 to help contain spread of COVID-19

Contactless limit in the UK is to be increased to £45 to help reduce the need for physical contact with devices where people need to to input their pin number.

By Leanne Clarke

Published 25th Mar 2020, 11:21 GMT

Updated 25th Mar 2020, 11:22 GMT

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In response to the growing impact of the virus, payment providers have decided to increase the contactless payment to help customers avoid making contact when purchasing essential goods.

Utilising contactless payments is vital in helping to defeat the spread of Coronavirus after studies have shown viruses can live on cash for days posing an additional risk of spread.

Announced by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents UK retailers, it is hoped the move will reduce the spread of disease.

The new contactless limit will become operational across certain stores in the UK from April 1, before being rolled out nationally.