Shanghai Limits ATM Usage in Banks to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that in Shanghai, China, measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have led to restrictions on the use of ATMs by separating deposit and withdrawal functions.

According to Hong Kong Ming Pao on the 29th, Chinese health authorities have designated ATMs in many banks in Shanghai as virus control targets, citing the spread of COVID-19 through banknotes. Accordingly, each ATM has been configured so that some machines allow only deposits, while others allow only withdrawals.

In Shanghai, due to recent COVID-19 lockdown measures, various items such as mail, frozen food, fruit, and clothing have been placed under virus control restrictions, limiting their use. Bank officials in Shanghai explained that the purpose is to eliminate the risk of cross-infection caused by banknotes. However, Ming Pao reported that customers have experienced inconvenience as they could not make deposits or withdrawals in a timely manner due to the sudden measures, and some gave up after waiting a long time in front of ATMs to withdraw money and had to rush to bank counters.

According to the measures, only 5 out of 20 branches of 14 banks, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China, operated ATMs normally, while the rest were either not functioning properly or had restricted functions, Ming Pao reported.

Shanghai continues partial regional lockdowns and mass testing even after lifting a two-month lockdown from April to May. It was reported that 7 new COVID-19 infections were reported in Shanghai the previous day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.