England could ease 2m-rule

THE falling numbers of coronavirus cases has given the UK Government “more margin for manoeuvre” in easing the two-metre social-distancing rule, Boris Johnson has said.

The Prime Minister, who has ordered a “comprehensive” review of the regulation in England, said “probably” fewer than one in 1000 people now had the virus, meaning the chances of coming in contact with someone who was infected were increasingly remote.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said now is not the time to look at reducing the rule.

Earlier Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the review would look at the issue “in the round”, drawing on advice from economists as well as the Government’s scientific and medical advisers.

He said it would be ministers, not the scientists, who would take the decisions on any relaxation of the two-metre requirement.

The move comes as non-essential shops in England prepare to open their doors to customers today for the first time since the lockdown was imposed in March.

Speaking during a visit to the Westfield shopping centre in east London to highlight the re-openings (left), Johnson said people should be able to “shop with confidence” as they returned to the high street.

Ministers are under intense pressure from Conservative MPs who see the easing of the two-metre rule as crucial to the next phase of the reopening, including pubs and restaurants, slated for early July.

Opposing calls to easing the twometre rule, Sturgeon has said: “IF we can effectively eradicate Covid – and then control through Test & Protect & policies to mitigate against cases coming into country – we can restore much greater degree of normality.

“Decisions then about, eg, 2m v 1m are more possible. But first we must suppress/eradicate.”