Lots of people including Prime Minister Boris Johnson have stopped shaking hands because of fears about catching or passing on coronavirus. But one thing it's difficult to avoid touching is cash.
What if someone with the virus has handled banknotes or coins before you?
One March 2, The Telegraph reported that that the World Health Organization (WHO) was telling people to ditch banknotes in favour of contactless payments as Covid-19 might be able to survive on the surface of banknotes.
However, the WHO later released a statement through MarketWatch which said: "We did not say that cash was transmitting coronavirus."
The International Currency Association welcomed the retraction by WHO and experts said all surfaces - including pin pads, mobile phones, banknotes, tables, keyboards, mobile phones and doorknobs - were equally at risk of carrying bacteria.
Interestingly, coins "are actually very bad environments for viruses to survive," according to Dr Christine Tait-Burkard, an expert in infection and immunity, as reported by The Guardian.
There's certainly no more risk from coins than from anything else, according to the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, where the nation's small change is made.
A spokeswoman for The Royal Mint said: "The risk posed by handling coins is no greater than touching any other common surface such as public handrails or door handles.
"In line with general health guidance, using hand sanitiser or washing hands after touching communal surfaces is advised."
The Bank of England, which prints the banknotes used in Wales, is also encouraging frequent hand washing, saying notes "can carry bacteria or viruses".
Banks in China actually started disinfecting and placing notes in isolation in an effort to halt the spread of the deadly virus.
There, ultraviolet light or high temperatures are being used to sterilise the cash before it is then sealed and stored for 14 days before entering circulation.
Coronavirus in Wales updates
Speaking to the Telegraph earlier in March, a World Health Organization spokesperson said: "We know that money changes hands frequently and can pick up all sorts of bacteria and viruses.
"We would advise people to wash their hands after handling banknotes, and avoid touching their face.
"When possible it would also be advisable to use contactless payments to reduce the risk of transmission."
Scientific research by London Metropolitan University also found that £5 and £10 polymer notes already in circulation held eight types of bacteria between them when tested, reports the Manchester Evening News.
These included l isteria – which can cause nausea, diarrhoea and even miscarriages – and the antibiotic resistant enterococcus faecium. Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was found on the £10 notes during the study, which was conducted in 2018.
Although there is a risk that any hard surface can carry viral bacteria, experts say the best practice is to thoroughly wash your hands regularly as even using contactless payments with a card, phone or payment terminal poses a risk of passing on the infection.