Coronavirus: should we socially distance at two metres or one?
New WHO study on most effective measures to curb Covid-19 spread may guide lockdown easing
The UK government is facing growing calls to relax the two-metre social distancing rule as the World Health Organization (WHO) publishes the findings of a major new study into the efficacy of such measures.
Senior Conservatives are urging Boris Johnson to consider reducing the required gap between people from different households to as little as one metre in order to kickstart the reopening of UK businesses and prevent wide-spread redundancies.
Greg Clark, chair of the Commons Science Committee, wrote to the prime minister last week to ask him to “urgently review” the rule. Citing advice from the Scientific Advistory Group of Emergencies (Sage), Clark told The Telegraph that “the difference between two metres and 1.5 metres may seem small but it can be the difference between people being able to go to work and losing their jobs”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
WHO guidelines currently recommend a one-metre distance in order to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. However, the new analysis funded by the UN health agency found that standing this close to someone who is infected doubled the risk of catching the virus compared with maintaining a two-metre gap.
On the other hand, that risk is still fairly small, rising from 1.3% at two metres to 2.6% at one, reports The Sun, which is backing calls for the current rules to be scrapped in order to “pave the way for businesses such as pubs to reopen”.
The new study, outlined in a paper in The Lancet, also found that wearing a face mask can reduce the risk of catching the virus by up to 85%. However, the authors note that nothing can provide complete protection.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Social distancing regulations currently vary from country to country, with Germany and Poland advising 1.5 metres, while Finland and Austria are recommnding a distance of one metre.
According to the BBC, the UK’s two-metre rule can be traced back to research carried out in the 1930s which found that droplets of liquid released by coughs or sneezes either evaporate quickly in the air or are dragged by gravity down to the ground.
But some researchers now fear that the coronavirus is carried not only in droplets, but can also be transported through the air in tiny particles called aerosols.
“If that is the case,” says the broadcaster, “the flow of wind from someone’s breath could carry the virus over longer distances.” This theory is supported by the findings of a study carried out at hospitals in China, which estimated that four metres was a better safe distance.
However, “what’s still not established is whether any virus that spreads further than two metres can still be infectious”, adds the BBC, which notes that scientists have “a long way to go” before they can offer conclusive answers about the potential risk.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Less than total recall
Editor's Letter Why our brains want to forget the darkest days of the pandemic
By Theunis Bates Published
-
'A wonky bureaucratic tweak has dramatically changed how Americans drive'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published