\'Coronation Street\' bosses have banned kissing scenes to reduce the risk of the cast spreading coronavirus.
The ITV soap\'s producers made the decision to keep their stars - who include Simon Gregson, Kate Ford and Alison King - as safe as they can from the spread of the respiratory illness whilst they keep shooting.
Any scenes with kissing included are being rewritten to ensure there is "limited physical contact".
A source told The Sun: "All of the soaps are desperate to keep running.
"\'Coronation Street\' shoots about six to eight weeks in advance, so viewers might see some kissing in the next month or so, but the scenes they\'re shooting right now will have nothing of the sort in. They are taking no chances. The longer they can keep cast and crew well, the better, and if a storyline has to suffer slightly by losing a kiss so be it."
ITV confirmed the kissing ban in a statement which read: "Scenes with kissing or close contact are being altered to minimise contact."
Earlier in March, a \'Corrie\' cast member had chosen to self-isolate after they returned from holiday and was concerned they could have been infected with the respiratory illness - also known as COVID-19 - despite not showing any symptoms.
They did not have coronavirus and a spokesperson for the show confirmed that after seeing a medical professional the cast member was allowed to return to work.
A statement read: "The \'Coronation Street\' cast member referred to in reports this morning has been advised by health professionals that they are not required to self isolate, following this advice they will be returning to work when they are next scheduled to film."
