Two-metre rule is barrier to prosperity

WHILE HIGH streets reopen, social distancing applied in-store is a firm reminder that everyday activities will not be returning to normal soon.

Of course, we must be ready to reverse the current gradual relaxation of restrictions if there are signs of an infection surge. However, alongside this vigilance, it is imperative that we adjust distancing rules to allow for normal life to resume as far as is possible, alongside careful shielding of the vulnerable.

As the initial wave recedes, we need to think about how we can live with the threat of the virus, not just exist in fear of it. Until the discovery of a vaccine, coronavirus will remain a risk that has to be managed, and readers will appreciate we cannot simply put the economy or our children’s education into suspended animation for however long this takes.

The two-metre social distancing rule is the prime example of a measure that was essential as we faced the full force of the virus, but now risks being a cure that is worse than the disease and must be relaxed in line with scientific evidence indicating this can be safely done.

Not to do so risks destroying the substantial hospitality and tourism industry, which supports so many of our region’s communities. It is also damaging the whole supply chain including processors, wholesalers and farmers, and preventing our children returning to school for many months yet.

One food wholesaler in my constituency has already lost 80 per cent of their trade, and many parents of primary school-age children will already have learnt the two-metre rule makes it impossible to reopen primaries to all pupils before the summer, given the size of classrooms.

Readers should be in no doubt of the seriousness of the economic blow. The economy shrank 20.4 per cent in April, which current estimates suggest could see unemployment in North Yorkshire surge to 18.9 per cent, and 17,500 jobs going in my own City of York.

With this prospect, we need our region’s shuttered cafes, pubs, eateries and tourist attractions, that provide the lifeblood of so many Yorkshire communities, open as soon as possible. However the reality is that a huge number will simply not be viable if they have to drastically restrict their customer numbers by applying the current twometre rule from July 4, and will either remain closed or go to the wall, taking large numbers of jobs with them.

With two-metres, venues will only be able to make 30 per cent of normal income, a rate of return which will simply not be sustainable for the overwhelming majority, while a reduction to one-metre would allow for 60-75 per cent of normal income to be generated.

If two-metres was the only safe way to reopen businesses, it might nevertheless be judged necessary for a while longer, but the decision of most neighbouring countries to adopt a lower requirement suggests health can be safeguarded while the economy is restarted. Only Spain is currently sticking to two-metres with us, while Italy, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Portugal and Greece are using 1.5, with France and Denmark opting for just one metre, which is also recommended by the World Health Organisation

We simply cannot afford to wait until the reality of hollowed-out high streets, folding businesses and surging unemployment jolts us into action because, by then, it will be too late, and Yorkshire will already have suffered serious economic and social scarring, that could take years to heal.

Dropping down from two-metres is also essential to a full reopening of schools from September. As a father of two school-age children, I share the conflicted emotions of most parents, balancing potential health risk against the damaging impact of a break in learning, but feel we now owe it to the next generation to get them safely back in the classroom.

Prolonged closure enforced by two-metre distancing also has a clear regressive impact, affecting most those children from lower income families, and those born with fewer educational opportunities. Having rightly focused on the needs of the elderly for much of this emergency, we now also have to consider those of the next generation.

We don’t better protect our children against coronavirus by setting them up to inherit a wrecked regional economy, while ensuring they have less education.

For Yorkshire to rebuild in the new normal, the Government must axe twometres without undue delay.