Parents across Hertfordshire are being warned not to stand too close at the end of the school day – to prevent the spread of Covid.

Maintaining a distance of two metres – and wearing a face mask – are at the heart of government coronavirus advice.

But at a meeting of the county council's cabinet earlier this week, executive member for education, libraries and localism councillor Terry Douris drew attention to parents standing too close at the school gates.

He said he had seen parents failing to social distance. And – after publicly recognising the work of school staff – he put out a plea for greater social distancing at the end of the school day.

"Please please keep a social distance when you are at the school gates waiting for your children to come out'," he said.

"I have seen a number of schools where it is not being maintained – but it is important that they do so."