BI Quarantines Rupiah Banknotes to Minimize the Spread of Covid-19

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Bank Indonesia's (BI) Department of Communication Executive Director Onny Widjanarko said that BI had provided circulation-worthy and disinfected money in order to minimize the spread of Covid-19 through Rupiah banknotes quarantine.

"To minimize the spread of COVID-19, BI quarantined Rupiah banknotes for 14 days before circulation," Onny said in a press release received on Sunday (17/05/2020).

Onny added, in addition to Rupiah banknote quarantine, in minimizing the spread of Covid-19, BI also disinfected the mining area, facilities and infrastructure, as well as paying attention to the banknotes handler and processing devices hygiene.

Meanwhile, Onny explained that to maintain smooth economic activities and facilitate economic activities and community needs amidst the efforts to overcome the COVID-19 outbreak particularly during Ramadan/Eid Al-Fitr 1441 H, BI took three strategic measures to ensure the smooth running of the national payment system.

First, it urges the public to use non-cash payment transactions through digital banking, electronic money, and QR Code Payments with QRIS standards.

Second, ensuring the continuity of BI payment system (cash and non-cash) and the industrial payment system operations. This was done among others through reducing operational time, implementing split operations, and providing payment system contact centers for the industry to accelerate issues handling during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Third, providing adequate and disinfected money in circulation as well as money exchange services throughout Indonesia specifically for the Ramadan/Eid El-Fitr 1441 H. (Reporter: Isma, Translator: Penni P. Rusman)