The payment card networks plan to postpone until July changes in their interchange schedules that they had planned to take effect in April, Digital Transactions News has learned.

The delays come as many merchants, especially restaurants, hotels, and local retailers have closed or greatly reduced their operations as part of governmental attempts to control the spread of the coronavirus, or Covid-19. Some independent sales organizations and other groups have called on the networks to cancel the April interchange updates, saying merchants do not need an increase in the price of accepting cards in such a distressed environment.

A source at a Midwestern ISO told Digital Transactions News late Friday morning it has received “official notice” that Visa Inc., Mastercard Inc., and American Express Co. are delaying planned April changes in their pricing schedules. Discover Financial Services also confirmed a three-month postponement.

A Visa spokesperson, however, said Thursday night that the company is considering its options, but would not publicly confirm a delay. “Visa is committed to partnering with our clients during this difficult time,” the spokesperson says by email. “We are actively implementing and considering a number of ways we can proactively support our clients to ensure the stability, security, reliability and resiliency of the digital payments ecosystem.”