PROF SUSAN MICHIE member of SAGE science group COMMENT

NOW is not the time to relax the two-metre social distancing rule.

Without a fully functioning test, track and isolate system, two out of five of the Government’s criteria for lifting restrictions are not in place.

The R value is such that there is still concern about the possibility of spikes and future outbreaks and without a good system we are not able to find those outbreaks and manage them quickly.And we’re still at the Level 4 alert.

Tearing up the two-metre measure in a situation that is still risky, with many people dying and thousands being infected every day, would be playing with fire.

The other thing to bear in mind is human behaviour.With the two-metre rule, what you’ll probably notice is most people are interpreting it as somewhere just a little over one metre.

As soon as you say one metre, people will think this is not such a risky situation. It will be interpreted as a couple of feet and then you’ve lost social distancing.

The idea of pitting public health measures against the economy is not helpful.The economy depends on productive, well people.

Until now, the Government has been saying “we’re following the science” and taking into account SAGE’s advice. My understanding is that there is a consensus within

SAGE that the two-metre rule should stay in place because as soon as you bring it down there will be more transmission.

But because the Government, or certain people putting pressure on the Prime Minister, want to move to one metre, they are now bypassing SAGE with their own Downing Street review.

They will take advice from some scientists and economists. But SAGE has been examining evidence for many weeks and has a huge amount to bring to the table. It’s very concerning.

Taxpayers are paying for SAGE to advise the Government.Their advice should be published so everybody can see what it is.

This is a political decision – Tory MPs with business interests want to get things moving again. If the Government wants to prioritise businesses making money over lives then that’s their choice, but they should be explicit about it.

We would be much better off easing restrictions gradually and monitoring the situation. Stabilise in order to have a sound basis for moving forward.