Boris Johnson admits he's stopped shaking hands with people - because he says it sends an important signal that they should wash their hands.
The Prime Minister initially said that he was greeting people regardless of Covid-19 because the danger was minimal.
But - almost a week on - Mr Johnson has changed his mind.
At a press conference to update the public on the government's approach he revealed he had been told not to shake hands at the Commonwealth Day service held today at Westminster Abbey.
He said: "We were all given an instruction not to shake hands and there's a good reason for not shaking hands, which is that the behavioural psychologists say that if you don't shake somebody's hand then that sends an important message to them about the importance of washing your hands.
"So there's a subliminal cue there to everybody to wash your hands, which is, I think I'm right in saying ... far more important."
Handshaking was "a matter for individual choice" but was much less important than washing, he added.
Earlier in the day footage showed the PM awkwardly withdraw his hand after offering it to a religious leader at the service before realising his mistake.
Although it looks like he did shake the hand of boxer Anthony Joshua when it was offered.
Meanwhile singer Craig David and Prince Harry were spotted bumping elbows to avoid the unnecessary touching of hands.
And Prince Charles was spotted making the "namaste" greeting instead.
The Prince of Wales declined to shake hands with Baroness Scotland, but instead pressed his palms together and gave a slight bow.
