Newcastle ban handshakes at training as coronavirus precaution

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Chelsea - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - January 18, 2020 Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce shakes hands with Chelsea manager Frank Lampard after the match REUTERS/Scott Heppell

(Reuters) - Training sessions at Newcastle United will be a lot less cordial after manager Steve Bruce said on Friday that players and staff had been advised to avoid handshakes in a bid to prevent spreading coronavirus.

The United Kingdom now has 19 confirmed cases of coronavirus and Bruce said the club were not taking any chances.