When will social distancing end?
The 'one metre plus' rule might change.
Since the pandemic began, social distancing has been in place, but some think the practice may be scrapped soon.
Recent scenes at Heathrow showed many people not adhering to the distancing rules, but the guidance is still technically in place.
Meanwhile, former Health Secretary Matt Hancock had to resign after footage of a workplace clinch was released, showing him break his own department’s rules.
As the final stage of the roadmap approaches, could we be nearing the end of social distancing rules?
When will social distancing end?
The results of a new government research project could determine when social distancing is scrapped in the UK.
It’s thought that the results of the review will be released before the so-called freedom day, on July 19.
The Social Distancing Review is focusing on:
- The ‘one metre plus’ social distancing rules
- Face coverings
- Working from home and returning to workplaces
- Helping people make ‘informed personal choices’
Some government ministers, including George Eustice, have said that they will stop wearing their masks after the final stage of the roadmap.
There are four programmes in total that are guiding the government’s roadmap plan. Alongside the Social Distancing Review is the COVID-Status Certification Review, which is exploring the idea of vaccine passports.
The recently-published Events Research Programme found that there was a minimal spread of coronavirus at live music concerts like the Brit Awards.
While this was seen as a positive outcome, it was also recently revealed that the Scotland v England Euro 2020 match caused 2,000 new infections.
The Global Travel Taskforce – the fourth research project – informs the traffic light system, which continues to be updated every three weeks. Currently, there are a minimal number of countries on the green list, including some Caribbean islands.
Other popular travel locations, like Portugal and Greece, remain on the amber list.
What are the current social distancing rules in the UK?
Across the UK, social distancing guidance says you should be two metres apart from people who aren’t in your bubble.
However, there are some exceptions.
In England, you can be ‘one metre plus’ if two metres isn’t possible – although wearing masks is encouraged.
You can use your ‘personal judgement’ to hug people outside of your bubble, too.
In Scotland, restaurants can seat people one metre apart if there’s increased ventilation.
In private homes, there are no limitations to how close you can get to people not in your bubble.
For people in Northern Ireland, social distancing at one metre is still required – and you could be fined a minimum of £200 for not adhering. This doesn’t apply in a private home, however.
Social distancing is still required in Wales, and hugs are restricted to extended households only.
Most people over 18 have now had their first jab, and the risks of Covid are reducing as a result.
However, it’s still not known how well vaccines prevent you from passing the virus to other people – although initial data is encouraging.
It is thought that booster jabs might be needed to tackle new variants and increase the amount of time a person is protected for.
MORE : Prototype face mask can detect Covid-19 infection while you wear it
MORE : Nightclubs ‘to reopen without needing test or vaccine passport’ on July 19
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