End could be in sight for social distancing rules
There is a "good chance" the one-metre plus rule for social distancing can be ditched next month, Boris Johnson said.
The final decision on whether the change can be brought in from June 21, will depend on the data, the Prime Minister added.
Mr Johnson said he feels likethenextstageofreopening onMay17-whichcoversindoor hospitality,entertainmentand possibly foreign travel – "is going to be good".
One industry chief has said a return to unrestricted tradingforhospitalityfromJune21, is"critical"andwillmeanfirms can "come off life support".
The comments from Kate Nicholls, chief executive of trade body UKHospitality, came as The Times reported social distancing rules will be lifted to allow pubs, restaurants and theatres to open to full capacity for the first time in more than a year.
One-way systems, screens and mask-wearing while moving around might remain for hospitality venues but customer numbers will no longer belimited,thenewspapersaid.
Speaking during a campaign visit to Hartlepool, Mr Johnsonsaid:"Asthingsstand, and the way things are going, with the vaccine roll-out going thewaythatitis–wehavedone 50millionjabsasIspeaktoyou today, a quarter of the adult population, one in four have hadtwojabs.Youareseeingthe results of that really starting to show up in the epidemiology.
"I think that we will be able to go ahead, feels like May 17 is going to be good.
"But it also looks to me as though June 21 we'll be able to say social distancing as we currentlyhavetodoit,theonemetre plus, I think we have got a good chance of being able to dispense with the one-metre plus from June 21. That is still dependent on the data."