Two-metre rule finally axed

Social distancing is halved, but you will have to wear a mask and not sit face-to-face

‘Help many businesses get back into profit’

Now you can have Dilyn on a shorter leash, Boris!

THE two-metre rule for social distancing is to be scrapped after Boris Johnson yesterday admitted it was making ‘life impossible’ for large swathes of the economy.

Businesses last night celebrated as the Prime Minister announced it will be replaced with a ‘one metre plus’ rule from July 4.

Individuals from different households will no longer have to remain two metres apart if they take other precautions such as wearing a mask or sitting side-by-side not face-to-face.

The change will make it much easier for the hospitality sector and other businesses to reopen.

For example, restaurants and pubs could use partitions between tables to fit in more customers while minimising the risk of the virus spreading.

In the Commons yesterday, the Prime Minister said he was able to announce the ‘vital change’ as there has been a ‘significant fall in the prevalence of the virus’.

He added: ‘I know this rule effectively makes life impossible for large parts of our economy, even without other restrictions.

‘For example, it prevents all but a fraction of our hospitality industry from operating.’

Following a review by government experts, Mr Johnson said the advice would be changed from the end of next week. He added: ‘Where it is possible to keep two metres apart, people should.

‘But where it is not, we will advise people to keep a social distance of “one metre plus”, meaning they should remain one metre apart while taking mitigations to reduce the risk of transmission.’

Guidance published for businesses yesterday suggests they change office layouts to avoid face-to-face seating, improve ventilation, use screens and provide hand sanitiser.

Mr Johnson continued: ‘Whilst the experts cannot give a precise assessment of how much the risk is reduced, they judge these mitigations would make “one metre plus” broadly equivalent to the risk at two metres if those mitigations are fully implemented.’

Pressure had been building for a change because of the implications for the hospitality sector and shops, particularly after figures showing the economy shrank by 20.4 per cent in April.

The Daily Mail had joined MPs and industry leaders in warning that keeping the restriction could sink tens of thousands of businesses.

Campaigners also said it would stop schools reopening properly while pubs and restaurants feared going bust.

As a result of the easing of the rules, the British Medical Association has called for the public to wear face coverings ‘as a matter of course’ to help keep the virus at bay.

This is already compulsory on public transport but Dr Chaand Nagpaul, the BMA’s chairman of council, said: ‘The crucial aspect is the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement that it comes with conditions attached: one of these is the wearing of face coverings.

‘The BMA believes face masks or coverings should be worn by the public now as a matter of course in order to keep the risk of infection as low as possible.’

Last night Professor Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, stressed that people should still stay two metres apart where possible.

At the Downing Street press conference, he said ‘where that isn’t possible’ they should take other steps to mitigate the risk.

The World Health Organisation recommends a one-metre restriction, which is followed by France, Denmark and Singapore.

Last night the change was welcomed by business leaders. Mike Cherry, national chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: ‘The new “one metre plus” approach should help many to get back to business in a way that means they can turn a profit, particularly across the leisure and hospitality industries.

‘But it will mean new costs for small firms. The Government should come forward with backto-work vouchers to help.’

Ralph Findlay, chief executive of Marston’s, said he expects the pub group will reopen 80-85 per cent of its 1,400 locations from July 4.

I welcome the news,’ he added. ‘If two-metre distancing had stayed in place, we would have only been able to reopen around 25 per cent of our pubs.’