Valentine’s Day sex BANNED for single Brits over Covid fears

SINGLE Brits have been banned from sex this Valentine's Day as the most romantic night of the year falls during the strict national lockdown.

Millions now have no hope of getting any action on February 14 - with experts saying the pandemic has thrown the UK into a "sexual rut".

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Under current Covid rules, you can't meet socially indoors with anyone unless you live with them or if they're part of your support bubble.

And with Boris Johnson only set to announce the route out of lockdown on February 22, Brits will have to spend Valentine's Day on their own.

This means meeting up for sex is sadly off the cards for all the love-birds living in different households.

While people in England are allowed to meet up with one other person from outside of their household for exercise, once a day, even smooching is a no no as you must socially distance from people outside of your household.

And with all hospitality closed under lockdown restrictions, single Brits who would normally head to pubs and bars to find a casual fling for Valentine's night will have to keep the flirting strictly online this year.

As a result of the pandemic, nine out of 10 dating app users say they won't be celebrating the special day at all, according to research conducted by Hinge.

LOVESICK

Sarah Woodward, an award-winning breakup coach, told The Sun Online: "This Valentine’s Day will be more lonely than usual for many single people. Whereas in previous years they might have arranged a night out with friends, now the only option is a night in for one.

"Many single people have been arranging dates online during the lockdown, but there’s only so far a relationship can go online.

"It doesn’t compensate for the anticipation and excitement of getting ready and physically going out for your first date and feeling the chemistry between you."

But lockdown hasn't just caused a strain for single people - as couples living apart will also be burdened with a sex-less February 14.

You and your partner are, however, allowed to have a socially distant stroll in the park together on Valentine's Day, as part of the Government's Covid rules.

Speaking about how the pandemic has impacted our sex lives, Dr. Soum Rakshit, CEO of MysteryVibe, said: “It’s clear that the British public is suffering from a sexual recession.

"Whether it’s fears about performance, a lack of sex drive or external life pressures, the UK is in a sexual rut."

Throughout the pandemic, women’s sex drives have been hit the hardest, with 40 per cent admitting they had less sex than normal in 2020.

Whereas just over a third of men reported the same plummeting trends in their private lives, according to the study by sexual health experts at MysteryVibe.

And it's not just the physical lockdown halting our sex lives - as the stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic have also negatively affecting Brits' desire to get down and dirty.

Clare Bedford, a psychosexual and relationship therapist, said: "Unsurprisingly the global pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have impacted the nation’s sex lives and people’s sexual habits.

"Psychological causes such as stress and anxiety have negatively impacted sexual desire.

LONELY VALENTINE'S DAY

"It’s important for us to start having these difficult conversations so that we can normalise the challenges people are facing."

And the isolation of lockdown is also impacting singletons' financial happiness - with research showing that 17.5 million single Brits are under more financial pressure and are less content with their single status than ever before.

According to Lloyds Bank, 71 per cent of singles were happy with their relationship status - but this has now reduced to just 60 per cent a year on.

Jo Harris, Managing Director at Lloyds Bank, said: “No matter your relationship status, the last few months have been incredibly tough, especially when it comes to people’s financial affairs.

"Single people are undoubtedly more hard-hit when faced with a financial shock, as often, financial independence also means not having a back-up plan or someone else to step in and help.

“Despite these difficulties, our research shows that single people are focusing on their financial wellbeing, maintaining good habits, and building up security for the future."

Meanwhile, loved-up Brits should avoid picking up Valentine's Day cards in shops as they could be riddled with coronavirus, experts have warned.

The deadly bug can live on the plastic coverings for up to three days - meaning a romantic message could now be at risk of becoming a Covid "super-spreader".