Coronavirus: New govt ads tell public how they can stop spread of COVID-19

The government is launching an expanded public information campaign as it tries to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Adverts will reinforce the message that frequent hand-washing is the most important thing the public can do in the fight against COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The government set out its plan to tackle the outbreak on Tuesday, as it was confirmed the number of cases in the UK had passed 50.

The adverts – which will feature across print, radio, online and on billboards – will hammer home the need for people to wash their hands more often.

This includes when people come in from home or work, after they blow their nose, cough or sneeze, and before they eat or touch food.

People should wash their hands for 20 seconds and use soap and water or hand sanitiser.

The adverts will also stress the importance of coughing or sneezing into tissues before disposing of them.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “The UK is a world leader in preparing for and managing disease outbreaks and I have every confidence in our nation’s ability to respond to the threat of COVID-19.

“We all have a role to play in stopping this disease and that’s what this expanded campaign is all about – making sure the public knows exactly what they should be doing to keep themselves and others safe.

“Washing hands regularly is the single most important thing that an individual can do.

“Public safety remains our top priority. The government and the NHS are working 24/7 to fight this virus.

“It’s imperative that everyone follows clinical advice by contacting NHS 111, and not going to A&E if you develop symptoms.”

On Tuesday, NHS England declared coronavirus a level four incident – the highest level of emergency preparedness planning.

In its plan to deal with a major outbreak, the government said up to one in five workers could be off sick during a peak in coronavirus cases.

It comes as confirmed cases in the UK rose to 51.

Twelve new UK cases were identified: eight had travelled from Italy, one from Germany, one from Singapore, one from Japan and one from Iran.

They are from London, Hampshire, Northamptonshire, Bury, Wirral, Greater Manchester, Humberside and Kent.

Under the level four alert, all hospitals in England have been told to “assume that they will need to look after COVID-19 cases in due course”.

A national incident management team and co-ordination centre have been set up for the coronavirus.

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Other global developments:

• World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says about 3.4% of those diagnosed with COVID-19 have died
• Indian media reports 15 Italian citizens have tested positive for COVID-19 in India
• Tajikistan shuts its borders to nationals of 35 countries including Britain, China, Japan, Iran and the US
• France and Switzerland’s health ministers have asked citizens to consider dropping the everyday greeting of kissing each other on the cheek
• Italian officials say the number of deaths of coronavirus patients in the country more than doubled in a 24-hour period to 79 overall, with the total number of confirmed cases of the disease rising to 2,502
• There are than 93,100 confirmed and suspected cases globally, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking the outbreak. It says there have been more than 3,190 deaths

Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency – Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: New govt ads tell public how they can stop spread of COVID-19