Norfolk coronavirus campaign targets children with hand washing message

The poster will be rolled out to schools for early years and primary school pupils as part of a campaign to tackle coronavirus in Norfolk. Picture: Norfolk County Council (Image: Archant)

The new initiative from Norfolk County Council's Public Health is aimed at early years and primary school pupils to wash their hands with soap particularly at mealtimes.

The council joined forces with Hethersett Woodside Primary and Nursery School to launch 'soaper-heroes' which will be rolled out to pre-schools, nurseries, childminders and schools across the county from today.

National guidance urges the public to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water and avoid touching their face.

Angela Jermy, headteacher of Hethersett Woodside Primary and Nursery School, said: 'We all want our children to stay safe from coronavirus, and teaching them how they can protect themselves and others is vital.

'The fact that these easy measures can be so effective means there's no excuse for even our youngest pupils not to be following the advice and helping stop spread the disease, so we're making sure they're doing their part; now it's down to the rest of us to follow their example.'

An online toolkit and further messages will be rolled out across the county supported by the Norfolk Resilience Forum.

The toolkit will contain social media assets and posters translated into ten different languages.

Diane Steiner, deputy director of Public Health at Norfolk County Council, said: 'While there's a lot of hard work going on to be ready for the coronavirus, for most people the easy steps are still the best.

'Washing your hands and avoiding touching your face may sound basic, but they can have a huge impact on slowing the spread of the virus, limiting the number of cases and keeping cases at manageable levels. If you want to prepare for coronavirus, start with soap and water.

'We want to make sure that schools and communities in Norfolk have easy access to the latest advice and that it is presented in a way that they will find both engaging and accessible.'

Public Health England advises:

Regular handwashing

Avoid touching your hands to your face as much as possible, especially to your eyes, mouth or nose.

Catch it, Bin it, Kill it. Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Bin the tissue.

Visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/what-we-do-and-how-we-work/campaigns/coronavirus-toolkit-for-professionals to find out more.