UK PM says 2-meter social distancing rule to be cut to “1 meter plus”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Tuesday that the current 2-meter social distancing rule will be loosened from July 4 to “1 meter plus” in England so as to further ease the country’s coronavirus lockdown.

Following a review, the prime minister set out the guidance that allows people to keep a social distance of “1 meter plus” where it is not possible to stay 2 meters apart.
This means staying 1 meter apart, plus mitigations which reduce the risk of transmission, according to a statement from the 10 Downing Street.

“This vital change enables the next stage of our plan to ease the lockdown,” he told MPs at the House of Commons (lower house of parliament).

Meanwhile, Johnson announced that from July 4, pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, cinemas, museums and galleries, among others, will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID-19 prevention guidelines.