Contactless limit rises to £45 to help reduce coronavirus spread

• It comes as supermarkets enforce new safety measures at checkouts, including protective screens

• Customers can continue to make contactless payments for higher amounts using smartpones

Shoppers will be able to make contactless payments of up to £45 as retailers look for ways to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

The limit is set to rise from the current £30 on 1 April. It means more customers will be able to complete purchases without touching the keypad on card payment terminals.

The British Retail Consortium said the measure was a response to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The last contactless limit increase to £30 took two years to implement but, given the extraordinary circumstances we face today, this new £45 limit will be rolled out from next week,” said BRC head of payments policy Andrew Cregan.

“Some shops will take longer to make the necessary changes, given the strain they’re under. In the meantime, most customers can continue to make contactless payments for higher amounts using their smartphone.”