Chesterfield school denies ‘high five ban’ claim amid coronavirus fears

A parent contacted the Derbyshire Times to say they had read on social media that a member of staff at Hady Primary School had been told they could no longer high five pupils.

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But Susan Chapman, headteacher of Hady Primary School, said: “Public Health England has confirmed that no advice around shaking hands has been issued and therefore the school has not banned the meeting and greeting of children as they arrive to school either in the form of high fives or handshakes.

“Parents who feel that they do not want their children to shake hands or high five are encouraged to wave instead.”

She added: “School is following the Department for Education advice that has been sent to all schools on how to prevent the spread of the virus.

“This information is reviewed daily and the school takes its responsibilities extremely seriously.

“All children have received lessons on hand washing and good hygiene and some very helpful parents who work in the medical profession have agreed to visit the school in the next few days to reinforce this measure.”

The coronavirus, which originated in China, has so far spread to more than 60 countries and claimed more than 3,000 lives.

The number of people diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK was 85 at the time of publication.

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