Public Health England have issued official guidance on social distancing for people in the UK as the Coronavirus pandemic grows.

The guidance advises on social distancing measures we should all be taking to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).

This comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech yesterday in which he announced new government measures including advising people to avoid gatherings and crowded places, such as pubs, clubs and theatres.

PHE are advising those who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures, including groups such as those aged 70 or older, people with underlying health conditions and pregnant women.

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce the social interaction between people, that help reduce the transmission of coronavirus. This includes avoiding contact with someone displaying symptoms of the virus such as high temperature and continuous cough, avoiding non-essential travel and use of public transport and avoiding large gatherings in public spaces.

Public Health England insist everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic, and that this advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.

For the latest information on Coronavirus please visit the government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response