UK cosmetics chain Lush is inviting people to wash their hands in their stores even if they are not shopping, to help hinder the spread of coronavirus.
The move comes amid calls for an increase in public hand washing stations, with UK firm Protecting.co.uk warning that shops, libraries, and restaurants should offer more facilities to clean hands and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Protecting.co.uk spokesman Mark Hall said face masks were “pretty useless” in preventing the spread of the virus, and said thorough hand washing was the main step the public can take.
“We all know the basics, wash your hands when you’ve used the toilet, wash them before you eat, but that’s just simply not enough in a virus emergency,” he said.
“You need to make sure you are washing your hands after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Your hands are a breeding ground for germs, washing them regularly will stop you from spreading bacteria to other people and all over surfaces such as door handles and bannisters.
“At the end of the day, an alcohol-based hand rub will do the trick in a pinch, but nothing beats a good old-fashioned scrub with soap and water and we need more places to do this.”