France has urged its citizens to lay off the kissing this Christmas at it faces the threat of its ninth Covid wave.
With hospitals across the country also under increasing pressure from other respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis and flu, the regional health office of Pays de la Loire repeated its call to avoid the traditional la bise greeting kisses.
”Avoid kisses and hugs,” it said - recognising “even if it’s very difficult” in a footnote.
The cheek-to-cheek (or cheek-to-cheek-to-cheek depending on the region) greeting among loved ones became a French institution after being popularised by the Romans.