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Industry leaders and MPs have called for the two-metre social-distancing restriction to be reduced in order to help pubs and restaurants reopen and allow more children to return to school.
However, a poll found more than half of people wanted the measures to remain as they are, while just under one-quarter (24 per cent) wanted it reduced to one metre.
Boris Johnson has promised to keep the restriction, currently in place for the whole of the UK, under “constant review”.
However, the prime minister is reportedly planning to scrap the rule by September at the latest, The Daily Telegraph reported.
But why does the UK have a two metre rule? What is the science behind the measure and how could reducing it help schools to reopen fully and boost the economy?
Why does the UK follow a two-metre social-distancing rule while other countries do not?
While the UK has implemented social-distancing measures recommending people stay two metres apart, some countries such as France, Denmark and Singapore have been following a one-metre restriction. Meanwhile, countries such as Germany and Australia follow a 1.5-metre rule.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a “minimum” distance of one metre between people of different households in order to avoid transmission of the virus.
Researchers in the Lancet medical journal also endorsed a distance of “one metre or more” on 1 June, adding that “distances of two metres could be more effective”
What is the science behind the rule?
The coronavirus is spread predominantly through coughs, sneezes or when someone speaks, actions which spray small liquid droplets which may contain the virus from their nose or mouth.
However, Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK’s chief scientific adviser, said at the daily Downing Street press briefing on Wednesday that the advice was not a hard-and-fast “scientific rule”.
No hype, just the advice and analysis you need
In a sign the government could be preparing to announce a change, Sir Patrick said: ”It is not a scientific rule – it is a risk-based assessment on when risk reduces.
“And the risks are associated with distance – so the risk falls after two metres – time, what mitigating factors you can put in place, which can include whether you are sitting side-by-side, back-to-back or face-to-face, whether you’ve got face covering, whether there is ventilation and other measures.”
He added: “It is wrong to portray this as a scientific rule that says it is two metres or nothing – that is not what the advice has been and it is not what the advice is now.”
Why is the rule under review?
Mr Johnson said he is considering reducing the restriction to allow schools in England to fully reopen by September.
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A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
2/29
Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
3/29
An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
Angela Christofilou
4/29
People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
5/29
A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
Angela Christofilou
6/29
Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
7/29
A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
8/29
Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
9/29
A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
10/29
A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
11/29
As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
12/29
A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
13/29
Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
14/29
A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
15/29
A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
16/29
During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
17/29
Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
18/29
‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
Angela Christofilou
19/29
Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
21/29
Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
22/29
Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
23/29
Empty streets around Soho
Angela Christofilou
24/29
A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
Angela Christofilou
25/29
Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
Angela Christofilou
26/29
Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
Angela Christofilou
27/29
Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
Angela Christofilou
28/29
A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
Angela Christofilou
29/29
A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
1/29
A man walks down a deserted Camden High Street
Photos Angela Christofilou
2/29
Goodge Street Station is one of the many stations closed to help reduce the spread
Angela Christofilou
3/29
An empty street in the heart of Chinatown
Angela Christofilou
4/29
People in masks in Chinatown a day after the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
5/29
A near-empty Piccadilly Circus during the first week of lockdown
Angela Christofilou
6/29
Sonja, my neighbour, who I photographed while taking a short walk. It was nice to briefly chat even from a distance
Angela Christofilou
7/29
A couple sit on the empty steps of the statue Eros in Piccadilly Circus
Angela Christofilou
8/29
Making sure I stay two-meters apart – D’Arblay Street, Soho
Angela Christofilou
9/29
A mannequin behind a shop window. UK stores have closed until further notice
Angela Christofilou
10/29
A notice displayed on a shop window in Camden
Angela Christofilou
11/29
As part of the lockdown, all non-essential shops have been ordered to close.Image from Camden High Street
Angela Christofilou
12/29
A skateboarder wearing a mask utilises his exercise allowance in the Camden area
Angela Christofilou
13/29
Communities have been coming together in a time of need
Angela Christofilou
14/29
A woman stands alone in a deserted Oxford Street. Up until a few weeks ago, on average, half a million people visited the street per day
Angela Christofilou
15/29
A couple walk hand in hand down a street in Soho, a day before the stricter lockdown was announced
Angela Christofilou
16/29
During the first week of March, shoppers focused on stockpiling necessities ahead of a countrywide lockdown
Angela Christofilou
17/29
Many supermarkers are operating a queuing system to make sure only a limited amount of customers are allowed in at anyone time
Angela Christofilou
18/29
‘Stay Safe’ – Curzon cinemas are temporarily closed under the new measures
Angela Christofilou
19/29
Pubs, restaurants and bars were ordered to shut as part of the lockdown
Angela Christofilou
20/29 Camden High Street
There are fears that coronavirus could lead to permanent closure of struggling shops
Angela Christofilou
21/29
Camden Town is eerily silent on a normal working day
Angela Christofilou
22/29
Shops and supermarkets ran out of hand sanitisers in the first week of the lockdown. As we approach the end of the second week most shops now have started to stock up
Angela Christofilou
23/29
Empty streets around Soho
Angela Christofilou
24/29
A noticeboard on Camden High Street urges the public to stay at home
Angela Christofilou
25/29
Camden High Street, one of London’s busiest tourist streets turns quiet
Angela Christofilou
26/29
Thriller Live confirmed its West End run ended in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak
Angela Christofilou
27/29
Empty and eerie Soho streets after stricter rules on social distancing announced
Angela Christofilou
28/29
A woman pauses for a cigarette on Hanway Street, behind Tottenham Court Road
Angela Christofilou
29/29
A man steps outside onto Hanway Street, that sits behind what is usually a bustling retail hub
Angela Christofilou
Primary schools were encouraged to open to more pupils from 1 June, but many headteachers said such a move would not be possible because of a lack of space for distancing.
Many businesses have also cautioned that keeping the rule would jeopardise their ability to reopen.
Similarly, those working in the hospitality industry have said reducing the distance to one metre would save thousands of jobs.
The move would also help parents return to work once their children have returned to school, especially if they cannot afford childcare.
What have politicians said?
Some Conservative MPs have urged the government to reduce the two-metre rule, arguing it is essential for the economy.
The business secretary, Alok Sharma, has said the restriction is being kept under review and would be amended “when it is safe to do so”.
On Tuesday, he told the Commons: ”We are taking a cautious view on this. I completely understand why for economic reasons businesses will want to have a look at this two-metre rule.”
What does the public think?
Some 58 per cent of the public think social distancing should be kept at two metres while 24 per cent believe it should be reduced to one metre, according to a recent YouGov poll.
Meanwhile, 8 per cent said social distancing should be scrapped altogether.
People over the age of 65 were more likely to favour a change from two metres to one metre, the survey of more than 3,500 Britons found, with younger people erring on the side of caution.