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Covid-19 will spread more this winter and public toilets will be one of the riskiest places to catch it, scientists advising the Government say.

The experts warned public toilets can become crowded and are likely to harbour the virus on numerous cold surfaces.

Transmission of the virus through faeces and urine is also a risk, the team said, but admitted more research is needed to confirm this.

In the latest batch of documents released by SAGE today, experts also called for the word 'lockdown' to be banned. 

The Independent Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours said the word suggests 'punishment' and 'blame', which had left Leicester locals feeling like 'lepers' and the 'laughing stock' of England.     

These are among a treasure trove of papers presented to SAGE, the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies, over recent months to help guide ministers through the crisis.

‘Environmental transmission’ – the spread of Covid-19 outside homes and in public places – will increase this winter, scientists said. 

And the most risky area of all will be public toilets, they believe.

In the 42nd SAGE meeting, held on June 18, experts warned during the winter, the virus can survive for longer surfaces.

There is less sunlight, humidity and hot temperature - all of which are thought to kill the virus by disabling its DNA.

The minutes of the meeting said: 'SAGE noted that public toilets pose a comparatively high risk of transmission, with the main transmission route in that setting being from surfaces. 

'This is due to a combination of low levels of natural light, confined spaces and the risk of faecal or urine transmission.'

Numerous studies during the course of the pandemic that suggest the virus can spread between people via excrement.

But there needs to be more research into this area, SAGE said.

There is a low risk of infection from treated wastewater, scientists said, but it becomes a problem if there is heavy rainfall.