Indonesia’s Ministry of Finance and Bank Indonesia (BI) have launched seven new banknotes to mark the country’s 77th independence anniversary (August 17).
Banknotes, which go from people to people, are a high-risk source of spreading virus. The habit of using cash among 90 percent of the population makes the banknotes, regardless of their materials as paper or polymer, a potential harmful factor to public health, which can transmit not only corona virus but many other diseases.
Thailand will use new banknotes featuring a portrait of newly-succeeding King Maha Vajiralongkorn, also known as Rama X, on the front of the bills from April.
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) expects to save around 400 billion VND (17.7 million USD) by not issuing new small-value banknotes during the Tet holidays.
The popular practice of exchanging new or special banknotes for a fee kicked off several weeks ago in many big cities, with one month to go before the start of Tet (Lunar New Year).