Celebrities give thumbs up to social distancing

As US authorities stepped up calls for Americans to move beyond hand washing and isolate themselves as much as possible, Ariana Grande and Heidi Klum added their voices to celebrities appealing for drastically reduced social interactions.

Taylor Swift said sacrifices are needed as she urged her 128 million fans to practice social distancing in a bid to contain the coronavirus.

"I'm seeing lots of get-togethers and hangs and parties still happening. This is the time to cancel plans, actually truly isolate as much as you can," Swift posted on social media on Sunday.

"It's a really scary time, but we need to make sacrifices right now," the "Fearless" singer said.

Pop star Grande appeared to be responding to social media postings at the weekend of people bragging about frequenting bars, restaurants and public places in spite of the coronavirus outbreak.

"It is incredibly dangerous and selfish to take this situation that lightly," the "7 Rings" singer with 177 million Instagram followers posted. "Please don't turn a blind eye."

Model and "America's Got Talent" judge Heidi Klum said she was keeping apart from her musician husband Tom Kaulitz after coming down with a fever a week ago. Klum said she has tested for coronavirus but has not provided an update on the result.

Singer Miley Cyrus appealed to fans to stop panic buying and hoarding and to be thoughtful while preparing for social distancing. "NO ONE needs every soup in the store," she wrote on Twitter.