FRENCH BAN KISSING KEEP SWINE FLU AT BAY

Businesses, schools, health authorities and government departments have all outlawed “la bise” in the belief it can spread the killer disease in seconds.

Social kissing has always been popular in France with male and female colleagues alike greeting each other with a peck on each cheek every day at work.

Teenagers kiss when they meet at school and the pavement cafes of every town and city are littered with people exchanging kisses at all hours of the day and night.

France’s health ministry is urging everyone to avoid the popular ritual while experts also recommend citizens to avoid other kinds of direct contact, including shaking hands.

Officials are recommending that people should keep a “three-foot buffer zone” between themselves and others or wear a face mask.

Paris company director Guy Girard said: “It will take some getting used to, as French people kiss each other on both cheeks all the time usually.

“My staff are slowly getting used to the ban, but it is easily forgotten.”

Helene Tanguy, mayor of Guilvinec in Brittany, has even banned the greeting in schools.

She explained: “I felt that other forms of protection had no meaning if we let the children keep kissing.”

The ban has not yet been enforced by law but it is likely to be included in emergency measures this winter.

So far, only three swine flu deaths have been recorded in mainland France and a further 12 in overseas territories.