Cleaning your payment terminal – in response to the threat from Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Published: 27/Mar/2020
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We in eCOMM have acted swiftly to implement the increase in the maximum value of contactless transactions that can be performed via your point of sale terminal, from €30 to €50 in Ireland and to £100 (October 2021) in the UK.
However, for transactions above these amounts, or for cards that are not contactless enabled, you will need to process via Chip and PIN, which necessitates contact between your customers and your terminal.
So, what is the best way to clean and sanitise your terminal and so limit the threat from Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Cleaning
- Firstly, wash your hands with soap and warm water for about 20 seconds and dry with a clean towel or paper towel.
- Ensure your device is turned off and unplugged from the power source.
- The terminal should only be cleaned using clean microfiber or lint-free cloth, that has been lightly moistened with water.
- A couple of drops of a pH-neutral non-abrasive soap can be added.
- Do not use harsh detergents or solvents.
Sanitizing
- Once free of any dirt or residue, the device can be sanitised with an alcohol-based wipe, or a suitable alcohol cleaner (approx. 70% isopropyl alcohol) on a microfiber cloth.
- Be careful not to scrub, apply gently. This method can also be used for the touch panel, again being careful to apply gently and never pressing hard.
Things to Avoid
- Never spray or pour any liquid directly onto the terminal.
- Avoid getting moisture into any openings.
- Never use bleach, hydrogen peroxide or other strong chemicals. These are commonly found in household cleaning products and will attack plastic and rubber.
- Do not vigorously rub or shake the terminal – this can trigger a tamper alert.
- Avoid vigorously drying with a towel or similar item, as this can lead to a build-up of static electricity, potentially leading to an electrostatic discharge (i.e. a spark), which can also trigger a tamper alert.