Coronavirus: SBP will not issue new currency notes for Eidul Fitr

KARACHI: In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday announced to not issue fresh currency notes for Eid-ul-Fitr this year.

In a

statement, the central bank made it clear new currency notes would not be
issued on the eve of Eid this year amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources said

the SBP’s COID-19 committee head had imposed a ban on issuance of fresh notes
on the occasion of Eid.  The decision has been taken as part of measures
to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, they added.

Earlier on

March 24, as part of preventive measures to contain the spread of virus, the central
bank had directed all the banks to provide authenticated and disinfected
currency notes to customers.

SBP had said

that it would ensure to clean, disinfect, seal and quarantine all cash being
collected from hospitals and clinics and to block the circulation of such cash
in the market.