Shops can refuse bank notes and coins as legal tender
Those who know me well know that I believe cash in king and prefer to pay with notes and coins over the faithful bank card.
Last week, when purchasing lunch around the corner from our office building in central Melbourne, I was refused the right to pay with bank notes or coins, with the cafe introducing a card only payment policy.
Immediately outraged, but not wanting to make a scene, i paid by card and went on with my day. Upon researching the subject, the law states that the cafe can trade with a card only payment policy, as long as it's made perfectly clear to the customers.
With COVID-19 crackdowns continuing around Australia, expect to see more traditional businesses move to a card only policy.
Have we actually been advised by health professionals that cash is worse than cards? I would think that as cards sit right next to cash in closed wallets and purses, and those wallets and purses are exposed to contaminated surfaces constantly duringvthe day, there would be little difference.
Is this cash verses card debate just another Urban Myth perpetuated by fear.