Study finds EFTPOS most contaminated surface incl. CoV - Should Contactless Card Limits be raised? Shopping in COVID-19 pandemic

MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 20:36
Last edited 21/03/2020 - 00:46
  • EDIT: The EFTPOS terminal was found the most contaminated surface at an airport incl with Coronavirus - see Coronavirus can be transmitted via payment terminal buttons;
  • Some countries (Ireland, Turkey) plan to raise contactless card limits: Coronavirus in Ireland Contactless Payments new Limit COVID-19;
  • As 1000s of people cram through each checkout at stores, Coronavirus can live on plastics for 3 days, hundreds of people use some machines in that time. Even if cleaned periodically, it only takes one person to spread to the next to continue the pandemic.
  • As parts of Australia enter lockdown, essentials shopping is still required - Many will press high-traffic communal buttons.
    Not everyone will be careful / clean hands, people often touch face/eyes/groceries etc before having practical opportunities to wash hands, risking prolonged community transmission / lockdown.

For me, Bunnings' EFTPOS wanted card insert into a grotty machine/PIN for >$50 purchase(?) As normal, Groceries & Fuel required for $100+ but that's rarely enough for a family shop. COVID-19 is in my community, but I used EFTPOS card insert/PIN and had no Hand Sanitiser left, nothing ready to press the buttons (but will in future), and nowhere to wash hands. Many people won't even think about it.

Is raising limits happening here? If not, how do we get it to? IMHO there is little downside to temporarily raising limits to cover a family grocery shop or fuel a large vehicle (E.g. $250 perhaps)? It may give confidence about safety of shopping in future.

Poll - Should we lobby for a raise of the contactless card limit? How much should it be? ….. Original Long Revision

Poll Options expired

  • 57
    Yes - let's raise limits!
  • 65
    No - it's fine as is
  • 0
    It's already happening in Aus (see detail below)
  • 0
    I don't mind because I don't need to shop for months (as I am one of the hoarders)
Health & Beauty COVID-19

Comments

  • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 20:51
    +1

    I'm going to put some extra info in to support my petition:

    payment terminals may be worse than cash. Whereas a banknote or coin spent at a store will likely find a new owner soon, it only goes to one wallet at a time. Meanwhile, dozens of customers per hour can touch the buttons of a payment terminal.

    Trying to understand how respiratory viruses such as coronaviruses spread at airports, Finnish researchers in 2018 collected surface and air samples at a major airport and tested them for viruses. They took ninety swab samples from frequently touched surfaces such as handrails, luggage trays at the security check area, toilet flushing buttons and doorknobs.

    Most surfaces did not have any viruses, and even all 14 samples from the airport toilets came out sparkling clean. However, there was one surface testing positive for both rhinovirus and a coronavirus: the buttons of the payment terminal at the pharmacy

    The most contaminated surface at the airport

    Source: https://www.mobiletransaction.org/coronavirus-payment-termin…

    • FW190 on 20/03/2020 - 21:18

      However, there was one surface testing positive for both rhinovirus and a coronavirus: the buttons of the payment terminal at the pharmacy

      I wonder if it was (as suggested by the article) that there are more germs there because sick people will go the phrarmacy, or if there other reasons for it?

      as for your workplace, can you spray the EFTPOS terminal with disinfectants after each us? or would the liquid ruin the terminals?

      • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 21:32

        They were saying what was the 'most contaminated surface' - I'm sure a general one wouldn't be far behind. The same sick people also went everywhere else in the airport presumably and didn't create hot spots elsewhere. It proves the point that it is capable of having sickness trasmitted onto it. In a pandemic its safe to assume we are trying to stop all sick people spreading coronavirus, some sick people will use an EFTPOS machine, so it is a transmission point

  • FW190 on 20/03/2020 - 20:52
    -1

    nah leave it, you don't want to make it easy for the hoarders.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 20:53
      +3

      I doubt someone who is making the decision to buy 55 bags of toilet rolls and brawl in Woolies will change their mind if they don't accept contactless! In fact I think it helps the argument to NOT hoard because people may be more comfortable shopping going forward knowing steps are being taken to make transmission less as we enter lockdown / peak virus time

      • FW190 on 20/03/2020 - 21:00
        -1

        IMHO anyway, people are hoarding because every one else are doing it, contactless or not

        but at least it will make their life a little more difficult, and it might scare off a few germaphobes :)

        • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 21:06
          +3

          yes, getting Coronavirus from an EFTPOS machine will make their life and many others more difficult… or possibly short. I've just come out of a self-isolation quarantine (with finally a clear result) after a close call with a diagnosed victim - trust me, that's hard enough. Apologies if I am taking this a little more seriously as a result of realizing this is actually real all of a sudden.

          (I was amazed with the chaos and death in Italy right now how blase Australians still seem to be! Are we waiting until its too late to do change our behaviour?)! Look at Italy, this attitude could actually kill people.

          • FW190 on 20/03/2020 - 21:14

            @MrFrugalSpend: ok understandable that it is close to home for you, it must be really stressful for you to still have to face so many customers everyday.

            I am not customer facing, but also frustrated (obviously nothing compare to what you face) that our employer is dragging on their feet on implementing work from home, mainly because they don't want to spend the money on IT hardware to support WFH, and it will only take one infected employee to shut down the whole office, but unfortunately the bean counters don't seem to understand that.

            as far as our government goes, since we have outsourced all of our manufacturing overseas, there simply ain't enough masks/sanitizers/test kits/etc to go around, so they are just burying their heads under the sand and hope this will all blow over………..

            • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 21:17

              @FW190: Yes, I was happy out on the town having drinks and meals with people, thinking it was a far away problem, then found out 48 hours later about someone I was in contact with… it was at that point "this sh!! just got real" - and you realise it could be close to all of us soon! It gives you a reality check. There are a lot of frustrations going around. We need to step up controls, and worst that will happen is in 6 weeks we all go, oh, well that wasn't so bad and go back to work. On the other hand if we don't… see Lombardy

          • poohduck on 21/03/2020 - 00:03

            @MrFrugalSpend: Actually kill people, like our dying environment? I think we're doomed; it's just what brainless part of humanity will kill us first. Ultimately it all comes back to our out of control population and arrogance. Not many were prepared for this, or even contemplated it, but this has always been a huge fear for those who contemplate humanity at all, since gee, the 14th century? (black plague). We don't do anything until it's too late. We don't take anything seriously until it's happening. Our changing environment is happening, and has been happening for decades, and yet here we are, actually still making it worse. We're the worst thing on this planet.

  • stealthdirect on 20/03/2020 - 21:10
    +12

    Use Apply Pay, you will almost never have to enter the pin ever for $1k+ transactions, and zero contact.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 21:10
      +3

      That's a good suggestion, thank you :) I am worried about the community transmission from those who don't care and still think its okay to call people who are cautious 'germophobes' in a global pandemic - it's Asia's willingness to don masks and go to extremes that has saved Singapore and got it under control in China whilst the likes of Italy is failing

      • poohduck on 21/03/2020 - 00:20
        +3

        I think Italy is having a hard time because it has one of the world's oldest populations.

        • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 01:00

          Yes but near me its an old population too. If you think about it, old people don't go many places other than to the shops… (probably using cash which is just as bad) so where do you think many of them picked up COVID-19?

      • Diji1 on 21/03/2020 - 10:38

        it's Asia's willingness to don masks

        What saved both Singapore and China was preventing the movement of people, not masks and hand washing.

        In free countries where movement was not prevented the virus is doubling infections every three days.

        • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 10:56

          True, but apparently according to the PMs speeches, we will still be allowed out to get 'the basic essentials' at the shops if there is a shut down. They are putting that message out to stop hoarders… so, wouldn't it be best to have precautions/and higher contactless limits when we do so? Seen as though one person from every household will congregate at their local Woolies/Coles/IGA/Aldi/etc?

        • KBZ on 22/03/2020 - 12:34

          Korea, Taiwan??? You wanna cherry pick more.

    • Hybroid on 21/03/2020 - 01:15
      +2

      This is the ideal answer. Verification happens on the iPhone/Watch and there's no payment limits nor touching required. It's so simple and convenient to collect receipts on device too. You can even get cardless cash out of ATMs with it. Haven't touched bank card in well over a year.

      • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 10:58

        Yes but doesn't help all the old people who need to shop with no apps and people who don't care - we will still have community transmission - make it easy for all as we enter a shutdown. Those of us who have thought about it know there are alternatives, that is not everyone. A media release about higher contactless limits will get people thinking about being careful and taking that easy option

      • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 11:12

        Also only works for Apple it seems? See below comment about Google Pay being the same as contactless (i.e. $100) unless someone has other information?

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8468385/redir

        • Kyle-K on 21/03/2020 - 17:03
          +1

          Also only works for Apple it seems? See below comment about Google Pay being the same as contactless (i.e. $100) unless someone has other information?

          Can't speak to Westpac frequently asked questions linked in that above link.

          But both Apple Pay and Google Pay work exactly the same as contactless cards do technically, for the most part. if there is a hard limit you won't be able to go over it. in Australia we have a soft limit which is $100 anything greater requires a PIN.

          Digital Wallet platforms have access to an additional function this applies to both Google and Apple Pay and some of the others as well this is called Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM) this is what allows for transactions over $100 to not require a PIN in Australia when using your digital wallet platform of choice.

          CDCVM, Allows for biometric authentication to be accepted in place of a PIN unfortunately both the bank and merchants get to choose if they have CDCVM enabled.

          I'm only aware of a small few credit unions that don't have CDCVM turned on and can't speak to if Westpac has it turned on or not however. Most financial institutions have it turned on so if the merchant excepts CDCVM you will not be prompted to enter your PIN.

          Depending on how the limit restrictions are implemented in the country regarding CDCVM will determine if you can go over a hard or soft limit Using that function. For example in the UK they have a hard limit but you can go over it on a digital wallet using CDCVM other countries CDCVM doesn't allow you to override a hard limit.

          • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 17:49

            @Kyle-K: Thanks for the detailed info - I'll look into it :)

            • Kyle-K on 21/03/2020 - 17:53

              @MrFrugalSpend: I'm in the process of asking around in regards to Westpac.

          • Kyle-K on 21/03/2020 - 18:19

            @Kyle-K: I should add some additional information that I left out of my initial reply CDCVM does not apply to the eftpos payment network when using a contactless eftpos only card in your digital wallet as the eftpos payment network does not support this function.

            So you would still get prompted to enter a PIN when using those types of cards in your digital wallet. Mastercard, Visa and American Express all support CDCVM on their payment networks.

            And just to help understand some things. A little easier…

            EFTPOS - (Electronic funds transfer at point of sale) used to describe the payment terminals themselves.
            eftpos - A payment network in Australia.
            Eftpos - New Zealand

  • coxjon on 20/03/2020 - 22:14
    +1

    You could tap your card and then call out the PIN to the cashier? /s

    • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 22:14
      +1

      It wouldn't do you any good - there's nothing left on the shelves to buy :-p !?!

    • Kyle-K on 21/03/2020 - 17:05
      +1

      It would be a breach of the merchant agreement they signed with the card processor for them to do so.

  • AdosHouse on 20/03/2020 - 22:16
    -1

    If you think EFTPOS pinpads are dirty, I got some news for you about banknotes even where there isn't a virus going around.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 22:19
      +2

      Actually the study I posted the link too above found banknotes whilst really dirty were less of a risk due to coming into contact with fewer people - see: Link

      In fact, payment terminals may be worse than cash. Whereas a banknote or coin spent at a store will likely find a new owner soon, it only goes to one wallet at a time. Meanwhile, dozens of customers per hour can touch the buttons of a payment terminal.

      • AdosHouse on 20/03/2020 - 22:21

        Yes but money never gets cleaned, unless I leave it in my pocket and chuck it in the wash. Any smart business is cleaning the EFTPOS terminals regularly at the moment. I have directed all the staff at my work to do it regularly.

        • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 22:22
          +1

          Glad to hear it is being regularly cleaned - but it still only takes one customer to pass it to the next to foster the spread… also cleaning supplies may be hard to come by for some, just like I am out of sanitizer!

          • AdosHouse on 20/03/2020 - 22:24

            @MrFrugalSpend: I get them to hit it with a mist of air drying sanitiser. I've told them to mist down the whole customer side of the bar every 30 minutes or so.

            • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 22:26

              @AdosHouse: Good to know some people are - I won't mention which of the stores above I am talking about, but one of them's EFTPOS machine didn't look like it had been cleaned in 30 months - it was really visibly soiled

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 20/03/2020 - 22:17
    +4

    On the EFPOS machine, to key in a PIN you could:
    - use your knuckle (like the suggestion for operating lift buttons), or
    - carry a pen/pencil/bit of dowel, or
    - carry a piece Glad Wrap to cover the key pad as you input your PIN, throw away after single use.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 22:20
      +1

      Good suggestions. I won't be unprepared anymore - but I think the problem is the masses - plenty of people won't take steps and that increases the time we are all in quarantines when they get COVID-19

    • imcold on 21/03/2020 - 09:30
      +1

      Well most stores have free plastic fruit bags use it, turn the bag inside out and dispose it, or wear disposable gloves. I havnt seen a single store sell out if gloves the last month.

      Or use hand santizer afterwards.

      Thousands of people also tap their phone or wallet on opal cards on the opal machines everyday. Or place their phones on food court tables. So santize your wallet or phone often.

      • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 10:42

        I will be prepared in future with something to press the buttons, but as I've said to some other people above, the problem is about stopping COVID-19 spread for the community - all those people out there who aren't thinking about it and taking extra precautions. If they catch it, it prolongs how long we are all out of jobs in retail and in lockdowns and loved ones potentially getting sick. As for sanitizer - got none, can't buy it

        PS - Also not the best for environment to use one-off plastics

  • Nugs on 20/03/2020 - 22:32

    Yeah I tried to float my card close without touching and it didn't work either.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 22:35

      Yes i've tried that too! It's a strange new world… same for my RFID tag to get into a secured communal carpark, it also has to touch! Do you think $100 is enough, $200-$250 would cover most things I think for a family shop? (and no that is not hoarding for all you people without kids - I haven't spent less than $100 in a shop since I wasn't married way back when Corona was just a beer!)

    • Kyle-K on 21/03/2020 - 17:10

      Most card should be able to work without making physical contact. However it's probably highly reliant on finding the correct sweet spot on the terminal. Which can be not so obvious on many terminals these days.

  • JosephBloggs on 20/03/2020 - 23:02
    +1

    Dont see downside to raising limits ? Seems like an easy way for banks to help given they guarantee stolen funds anyway.
    if it stops one corona case it’s a win. I often spend over 150 at shops even if I meant to spend less and going forward be better to go less often to social distance and just tap and go

  • trapper on 20/03/2020 - 23:08
    -2

    Just wash your damn hands, you should be doing that anyway.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 20/03/2020 - 23:15
      +5

      Yeah ok, I will drive the 25 minute trip home to somewhere non-communal to wash my hands before going on with the next thing - after handling all my groceries, loading them and kids in the car, handing my kids their snacks for the car seat whilst they suck on their fingers and pick their nose - real practical ! if I had sanitizer I'd use that, but some %^&*s bought it all! Or do you mean I should take my grocery trolley and kids into a public toilet just to wash my hands at a communal wash/germ trough as a detour to the car in the middle of a pandemic!?

      Not to mention how many times the average person rubs their eyes/touches face/mouth before getting to the next practical point to wash their hands outside a shop and how many people AREN'T going to do it (or not properly) so will catch/spread COVID-19 because of this "she'll be right attitude" - What's the problem with the practical suggestion of increasing contactless limits?

      • imcold on 21/03/2020 - 09:39
        -2

        You can bring your own water in a sandwich bag or doubled sandwich bags to avoid leaks. Communal toilets should be fine as long as you don't use the hand dryer, you don't need to blow whatever is in the air of the toilet, or whatever is growing inside the machine onto your hand.

        • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 10:40

          yeah I'm not going be taking my family and grocery trolley into a public toilet just because I used an eftpos machine. I have thought about taking soap and water at the car now that sanitizer is out though.

          • imcold on 21/03/2020 - 15:01
            -1

            @MrFrugalSpend: There are hand Santizer alternatives

            Like Glen20 found in many stores, and Diaso sells ethanol based car window wipes for cleaning dirt.

            • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 15:07
              +1

              @imcold: Glen20 for your hands?
              No, the suitable wipes are generally well sold out.

              If you mean normal Glen20 that's not a good idea - the MSDS says to wash hands after handling and avoid contact with eyes and wear gloves etc - its chemicals not dermatologically tested for skin absorption:
              https://www.suppleyes.com.au/img-data/2019/08/Glen-20-Spray-…

              • imcold on 21/03/2020 - 18:15
                -1

                @MrFrugalSpend: Spray the machine and wait a few min.

                Alternatively you can still buy alcohol wipes on eBay.

                Though you can no longer buy in bulk.. only 50 wipes for around $10. Just last week you could order 500 wipes for $30.. But supplies are running out.

                These are tiny wipes normally used for injection. Probably enough need 1 to clean the card and 1 to clean your fingers.

                I ordered some that are manufactured in Australia, sterilized with gamma radiation.

                • duckspunches on 22/03/2020 - 12:22
                  +1

                  @imcold: Yes, the obvious solution here is to carry a can of Glen 20 everywhere you go, pull it out in front of the cashier to spray the EFTPOS machine, wait the 10 minutes required for the disinfectant to kill the virus, tap your card and enter your pin. Easy.

  • Donaldhump on 21/03/2020 - 00:16

    Just split your payment into amounts less than 50

    • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 00:48

      Not a bad suggestion, thanks :) …but slows down people in the queue and that increases contact time rather than social distancing. Furthermore, my concern is more the community spread numbers and time we will be in lockdown - not everyone will be careful.

      • Donaldhump on 21/03/2020 - 00:54

        I don’t know my cc pin, maybe never even set it. Every time over 100 I put 99 on it, pretend to get another card out of wallet (like the checkout op cares🛷) and then pay the rest

        • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 01:07

          I found out one day I'd stored mine in short term memory (but usually used it regularly enough to remember)… because I went overseas for 5-6 weeks and when I got back I had no idea what my pin was anymore! Was an embarrassing few minutes at the petrol station, I had to get a passenger to pay my fuel bill. It's hard to ask for it to be split up when they are looking at you wondering if its your card or not after 3 failed tries

          • Donaldhump on 21/03/2020 - 02:50

            @MrFrugalSpend: How big is your fuel tank

            • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 10:38

              @Donaldhump: 4x4 - Takes about $120 to fill. Was more until oil prices collapsed. Higher limit mainly needed for groceries and doctor visits etc.

  • Mugsy on 21/03/2020 - 08:48
    +1

    I said this just yesterday after a medical appointment… $225 fee, really wish they had upped the credit card contactless limit to at least $500.

    Anyone know what the limit on Google Pay is? I might consider this as a work around if it's greater than $100.

    • Ozpit on 21/03/2020 - 10:05
      +1

      $225???? You’ve got to tell us the name of this doc who is offering discount medical services.

      • Mugsy on 21/03/2020 - 11:34

        It was an appointment with an Endocrinologist, not a standard GP.

        • Ozpit on 23/03/2020 - 08:31

          The specialist I saw in January charged $375 for the consultation. Note: this was just a consultation - no procedures.

          • Mugsy on 24/03/2020 - 07:23

            @Ozpit: Initial or return consultation?

            My initial appointment with the endocrinologist was ~$420. The return was $225. Also no procedures. Just tests planning and test results.

            Granted I have had fees between $300-500 for initial consultations so it could have been more expensive still.

    • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 10:45
      +1

      Glad to hear someone else is on board - I can't believe I forgot to mention medical as this happened to me too prior - thank you for the supporting comment

    • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 11:09
      +1

      Found this on Westpac's site:

      Are the Google Pay transaction limits and PIN the same as the physical card?
      Yes, the transaction limits that apply to Google Pay are the same as your physical card. If a PIN is required to authorise a payment (or refund), you will need to enter the PIN for that card at the terminal.

      https://www.westpac.com.au/faq/android-pay-spending-limits-p…

      • Mugsy on 21/03/2020 - 12:21

        Thanks for that. That sucks that they're limited to the card limit. My google pay is linked to my paypal though so I do wonder if that will help bypass the card limit to require a pin?

        • Kyle-K on 21/03/2020 - 17:17

          Thanks for that. That sucks that they're limited to the card limit.

          Just a heads up that that's not the case at all banks. Here's a reply to this here https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8469726/redir

          My google pay is linked to my paypal though so I do wonder if that will help bypass the card limit to require a pin?

          Far as I'm aware no.

    • Kyle-K on 21/03/2020 - 17:13
      +1

      Anyone know what the limit on Google Pay is? I might consider this as a work around if it's greater than $100.

      Depends on your bank and the merchant processing the payment. If your bank supports transactions over $100 using Consumer Device Cardholder Verification Method (CDCVM) any merchant that accepts CDCVM will allow you to go over $100 with no PIN.

      More here https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/8469726/redir

      • Kyle-K on 21/03/2020 - 18:01

        Some additional thought.

        I said this just yesterday after a medical appointment… $225 fee, really wish they had upped the credit card contactless limit to at least $500.

        It's quite possible that this place might not want to support higher payments over contactless forcing you to insert your card so it goes over the eftpos payment network because that incurs lower charges.

  • djones145 on 21/03/2020 - 09:48
    +1

    local ozbargain scientist here, I did a research paper and found covid survives in the air for 10 years
    we are all gonna die
    gg

    problem is I have seen so many news articles with conflicting theories. it's hard cause every scientist wants to be the first one to call out something and say told ya so

    • Diji1 on 21/03/2020 - 10:42
      -1

      problem is I have seen so many news articles

      I'm surprised you haven't worked this out yet after Iraq, Assange, Australian election engineering and numerous other events: the news is full of shit. It's consumers are worse off for having consumed it because they are uninformed, anxious and swallowing propaganda.

      If you do try stopping consumption of the news you will experience something akin to a drug withdrawal because that is the level of the brain that the news engages.

      • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 10:48

        Is that you @realDonaldTrump? #fakenews :-)
        True but what's the alternative… let's all turn to social media? No one ever talks sh!! on the internet …

    • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 11:25

      I don't think you'll find an article with someone claiming EFTPOS machines are nice and clean…
      Yes you'll find articles that say just make sure you wash your hands, but my problem is that is becoming impractical with no sanitizer left - we all rub eyes / touch face unwittingly and handle our groceries etc before we get somewhere convenient to wash hands.

      This study was done prior to the pandemic and its main aim was to find out why airports are so effective at spreading respiratory diseases. It wasn't part of the latest race for people trying to claim fame - It was a low-key study back when nobody really cared, but some countries have picked up on it and are raising contactless limits.

  • OzHunterNSW on 21/03/2020 - 12:00
    -1

    NO…. just buy $99

    • MrFrugalSpend on 21/03/2020 - 13:22
      +1

      Hahahaha as I said above $200-$250 would cover most things for a family shop - "no that is not hoarding for all you people without kids - I haven't spent less than $100 in a shop since I wasn't married way back when Corona was just a beer!"
      It makes absolutely no sense for us to be visiting the shops more regularly than normal - social distancing is the only thing that stops Coronavirus.

      And again, this doesn't stop people who are buying more, using coronavirus infected EFTPOS, and unknowingly prolonging the pain by increasing community transmission. All these suggestions of how to avoid the buttons will not stop the fact someone won't do this, will pass Coronavirus via an EFTPOS machine - and any new case is bad for extending our "at least 6 months" of measures. It only takes 1 from the millions passing through the shops, and no doubt it will be much more

      • Mugsy on 24/03/2020 - 07:28

        Definitely more. Australia's social distancing practices is shameful at best. So many people not following the 1.5m rule.

  • Cluster on 22/03/2020 - 12:02

    Well damn, I always use an eGift card at Woolworths group stores so I'm forced to punch in a long number followed by a PIN. But give up my 5% discount for a little extra feeling of personal safety? Nope.

  • Cluster on 22/03/2020 - 12:03
    +3

    Poland doubled the contacless payment limit this week due to COVID, so it's possible to do here too.

    https://www.nfcw.com/2020/03/20/366081/poland-doubles-contac…

    • Mugsy on 23/03/2020 - 07:43

      Fingers crossed. Google pay does nothing for me.

      A quadrupling wouldn't be a bad idea either.

  • Mugsy on 03/04/2020 - 20:57

    Well, it looks like they're lifting the limit up to $200 now:

    https://twitter.com/StephenJonesMP/status/124590799935846400…

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