Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Boris Johnson speaking to the House of Commons. House of Commons/PA Wire/PA Images

England replaces two-metre social distancing rule with 'one-metre plus'

Pubs will also re-open in England from the start of July.

THE UK GOVERNMENT has announced that the two-metre social distancing rule will be eased in England, replaced with a “one-metre plus” measure, with the protection offered by the physical distance enhanced by other mitigation measures such as the use of face coverings, increased hygiene or layout changes in premises.

UK prime minister Boris Johnson said the “national hibernation” is beginning to end, and “life is returning to our streets”.

Johnson told MPs that progress in tackling the virus meant steps could be taken to “safely ease the lockdown”, but “caution will remain our watchword”.

He acknowledged that the two-metre rule “effectively makes life impossible for large parts of our economy even without other restrictions”.

He added: “We’re today publishing guidance on how business can reduce the risk by taking certain steps to protect workers and customers.

“And these include, for instance, avoiding face-to-face seating by changing office layouts, reducing the number of people in enclosed spaces, improving ventilation, using protective screens and face coverings, closing non-essential social spaces, providing hand sanitiser, changing shift patterns so that staff work in set teams.”

Johnson, who was hospitalised with Covid-19, said he is relying on people using their common sense to limit the spread of the virus.

He said “difficult judgments” had to be made and “every step is scrupulously weighed against the evidence”.

“Our principle is to trust the British public to use their common sense in the full knowledge of the risks, remembering that the more we open up the more vigilant, we will need to be,” he said.

Pubs

The UK government also announced today that pubs, restaurants and cinemas will be able to reopen from 4 July, with “one metre-plus” distancing measures in place.

The hospitality industry had warned that pubs and restaurants would close if the measure remained in place.

In a move similar to that set to be introduced in Ireland after 29 June, pubs and restaurants in Englandwill be limited to table service and will be asked to collect customers’ details so they can be traced if there is a coronavirus outbreak.

With reporting from Dominic McGrath

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 16 comments
Close
16 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute joseph mcgee
    Favourite joseph mcgee
    Report
    Nov 6th 2011, 6:47 PM

    1 month ago Antonis cries out in parliament “Georgie, youre sellin out our sovereignty”
    George “on yer bike anto”

    a few days ago
    george “quit ur shit anto or im gonna cry referendum”
    anto “u wouldnt dare georgie”

    referendum said georgie
    anto “de balls on ya georgie. ok, heres de deal me aul dormitory pal. clearly de scum cant decide this. so, u cancel the empty threat,,jesus georgie we didnt think ud go so far…make way for me, ill back up the bailout..well u knew my real take on that anyway…and you go on to head up a chairmanships, like our brother bertie ahern… he’s well placed now georgie to make a right killin for himself. landed chairman for the international forestry fund, so when irelands forests come up for sale, he has all the old connections to make it happen…. anyway georgie, who am i tellin, sure u know the score…

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Zillion
    Favourite Johnny Zillion
    Report
    Nov 6th 2011, 7:58 PM

    Blah blah blah……just turn on the printing presses, flood the place with money, get 15% to 20% inflation going and these debts will feel like small change

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Keith Colton
    Favourite Keith Colton
    Report
    Nov 6th 2011, 9:42 PM

    Yeh the Germans will jump at that one alright

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mustafa Cezar
    Favourite Mustafa Cezar
    Report
    Nov 6th 2011, 9:42 PM

    NEDISY (Fina Fail of Greece) wrecked the country and George and his party are under the wreck now…

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank2521
    Favourite Frank2521
    Report
    Nov 6th 2011, 11:26 PM

    We have a really good guy with figures maybe he could help grease. Bertie may not have had a bank account and lived in a bedsit but he apparently was well qualified according to the cert he produced. I think it was one of the FAS Certs for accountancy that we’re given out by some relative of the board member of FAS who was appointed by FF. anyway he is available for a brown envelope.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute A. Musgrave
    Favourite A. Musgrave
    Report
    Nov 7th 2011, 11:42 AM

    How pathetic is is that every conversation gets turned around to include Bertie,

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank2521
    Favourite Frank2521
    Report
    Nov 7th 2011, 12:51 AM

    We also have another guy called Cardiff who would love to help with the bad figures in Greece. He can count it to 10 don’t let him near millions and certainly not billions as he gets confused – all that said we promoted him and look how well we are now doing.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Evan O'Q
    Favourite Evan O'Q
    Report
    Nov 6th 2011, 7:30 PM

    It’s actually ‘Karolos Padoulias’ not ‘Caralos’. :)

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Nov 6th 2011, 7:33 PM

    Oops, my mistake. Thanks Evan!

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds