Lush is inviting people into its shops to wash their hands for free to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the UK.

The natural cosmetics company started promoting the service on Friday via its shop windows.

Lush, which has shops all over the UK, has clarified that those wanting to wash their hands need not purchase anything to do so.

The total number of people in the UK diagnosed with coronavirus has risen to 36 on Monday, as the worldwide death toll rises above 3,000.

“Since we’re universally known as ‘that soap shop’, from Friday 28 February we’re using our shop windows to promote the hand-washing guidelines as advised by the NHS in the UK and other public health organisations around the world,” the company said in a statement.

“The winter months are always a time when hand hygiene matters because coughs and colds pass around, but the current situation with the spread of the new Coronavirus means that it is more important than ever that people regularly wash their hands and observe best practice.

“It is also important that people understand the full, effective routine of washing as advised by the health authorities to maximise the removal of germs.”

The company statement continued to stress the importance of preventing the spread of coronavirus.

“The advice from authorities is to wash hands regularly, particularly before eating and to avoid touching your face,” it says.

“We know there are practicalities to being able to wash hands when out and about.

"We thought that offering our shops gives somewhere for the public to do this without having to seek out public toilets (a diminishing resource these days). 

“There will be no requirement to purchase anything – our soap, our sinks and our shops will be available for anyone to use as a free service.”

Lush’s initiative has been praised on social media, with one tweeting that the free service was “another reason to love” the company.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Public Health England (PHE) have told the general public that the best way to prevent spread is to regularly wash hands with either an alcohol gel or soap and water.

Both organisations have disputed the effectiveness of face masks and latex gloves and says hand hygiene should be a priority instead.

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