A charity has urged people to wear a mask, avoid kissing and to avoid face-to-face positions when having sex with people outside their household to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
According to sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust, 84% abstained from having sex with people they didn’t live with during lockdown but have now said it is “not realistic to ask people to avoid sex indefinitely”.
As many in the UK are adapting to a ‘new normal’, the charity has urged people to stay vigilant by washing hands before and after sex, and by wearing a face mask and avoiding face-to-face contact during sex.
At present, there is no evidence to suggest coronavirus can be spread via sexual intercourse but the virus can be passed on by breathing on someone and by kissing.
The charity’s medical director, Dr Michael Brady, said: “Sex is a very important part of life.
“That’s why, as the pandemic continues, we all need to find ways to balance our need for sex and intimacy with the risks of the spread of coronavirus.
“We’re clear that abstaining from sex is the best way to protect yourself.
“But we hope by issuing this advice we will help people to manage the risks of COVID-19 while also being able to have and enjoy sex.”