Can you catch it from joggers and can I still call out a plumber?

Q Can you catch Covid-19 as you walk or jog past someone in the street or park? A Technically, yes, but it’s pretty unlikely. As Dr Jeremy Rossman, honorary senior lecturer in virology at Kent University, explains: ‘This virus spreads through respiratory droplets – little particles that are produced when you cough. These droplets don’t spread very far and don’t last very long.

‘If you are sitting next to someone who is infected, then you’ll breathe in a lot of these droplets. The longer you are there, the greater the chances of being infected.

‘If this person is outside, these droplets are spread out over a very large area and if you just pass through, the chances of you breathing in enough to become infected are very small.

‘It is possible, so it’s still advisable to keep a couple feet away, but the risks are small.’ Q If I have a plumbing emergency, can I call out a plumber or will that be in breach of the rules? A Yes, if it’s an emergency, and not just a routine visit, then this is classed as an essential service and is allowed. The same goes for electricians.

If this happens, there are a few things you can do for protection. ‘Keep two metres apart,’ says Willem van Schaik, Professor of Microbiology and Infection at Birmingham University.

‘Do not offer the plumber coffee or tea – I am sure they won’t mind too much under current conditions.

‘After the plumber has left, carefully clean the area of your house where they worked, and anything else they touched, with your normal products.’ Q My boyfriend doesn’t live with me – are we no longer allowed to see each other? A Unfortunately no – unless you move in together. Strict new rules mean that everyone should stay at home, avoiding unnecessary journeys and social contact.

You can only leave the house for one form of exercise per day, either alone or with members of your household, to go to the shops for essentials, or to travel to work if necessary. Last week, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Jenny Harries said couples who live apart but wish to see each other should move into one household – and be prepared to stay there for the foreseeable future.

As Dr Rossman explains, any contact with someone you are not living with increases your risk of catching – and spreading – Covid-19. This is the case even if you don’t show symptoms.

‘This risk of transmission is also increased with kissing and physical contact,’ he says.

‘It’s important to remember that the risks of infection don’t just apply to yourself, but to everyone you then interact with.

‘The more we physically distance from each other, the greater the chances of stopping the spread of this virus.’ Q I got a text from the NHS Coronavirus Service saying I need to shield myself from all contact for 12 weeks – but I don’t think I fall into a high-risk group. What should I do? A The Government has urged up to 1.5 million people in England who face the highest risk of being taken to hospital as a result of Covid-19 to shield themselves for at least 12 weeks. This means they should stay at home, not go out for shopping, leisure or travel, and avoid all social contact.

Among those considered extremely vulnerable are people with certain underlying conditions, such as cystic fibrosis, and those receiving treatment for blood or bone marrow cancers.

People identified as falling within this group will be contacted by their GP practice or hospital specialist.

However, last week, some patients mistakenly received messages telling them to stay indoors – despite not meeting the criteria for shielding.

Dr Jonathan Leach, of the Royal College of GPs, says: ‘This information will have been collated from GP computer systems and patients should be reassured that every effort is being made to ensure data accuracy. In instances where patients have been advised to self-isolate but do not think they fulfil one of the high-risk categories, we’d recommend that they discuss this with either their hospital specialist or their GP.’

For a full list of those who fall into the extremely vulnerable group, visit gov.uk/coronavirus.