2M ruling could be relaxed

Gajahgran " Everybody has to do what they feel is necessary to keep themselves safe. "

I would add to that " and to keep everyone they meet safe too"

JE you say "The risk of catching the virus now is very small. I read that only one person in 1,700 is infected now." When the virus first reached this country, while people were mingling unsuspecting and unconcerned, even fewer of the population were infected - hardly any. Because everyone was close together and not observing any distancing or other precautions, it spread rapidly around the people they came into contact with.

There was a reason for keeping 2 metres apart - anyone coughing, sneezing, or even puffing and panting (joggers?) in your direction sends droplets that far in front of them. Further than that the droplets are more likely to fall to the ground. Stay apart and stay safe. Wear a mask if you are going to be closer. With small children, make the mask a game - children will accept it if it is fun.

Now that the first wave of infections has subsided because though it has not been totally observed, lockdown has ensured most people at least do not get as close together we are back to the situation we were in at the start of the year. The whole cycle could restart if we all get too close to one another again.

THE VIRUS HAS NOT GONE AWAY. IT IS STILL CIRULATING AND THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION HAVE NOT YET HAD IT. DON'T GET COMPLACENT.

I do so agree with Gajahgran ... however, please get it into your heads that wearing a mask with NOT keep YOU safe. It is for the benefit of others so you do not infect them! So, if you want to reduce the risk to all then everybody should be wearing masks (ie on public transport). Can you see that happening with the population in general?

We will be sticking to the 2m rule. The guidance from the government is only advisory. Everybody has to do what they feel is necessary to keep themselves safe. Some will not do so obviously.

The WHO said it couldnt be transmitted from animal to human ans China have far to much influence with them

I would not be in any hurry to relax the two metre rule.
New outbreaks in China and in Rome prove that the virus does not go away.
I am so worried about DD who has had to be out and about all week travelling on public transport and being in her aunt's house. My sister has steadfastly refused to isolate.

I agree Grandad1943

except Government hasn`t "lost" control, never had it..

we have become a too liberal society, imo

I’m shall still maintain a 2 metre rule.

How crazy is it that if my dad aged 95 and living alone now chose to bubble up with my daughter who has children aged 5, 3 and 1 she could legally let them cuddle him and stay overnight with him but because my husband (62) and I (63) live together, the children cannot even enter our house unless they are walking through to the garden or going to the toilet and cuddles are strictly off the agenda

Wear masks in public and abolish the 2 metre rule. Has the infection rate increased substantially in countries like France, the answer is no. We must get our kids bad to school before most of them become completely comatose.

gg13 the scientists in this country are saying that given where the U.K. is in its fight against covid, I.e. the worst in the world.

2 meters should still be the rule.

WHO is directing its advise to the countries who have dealt with covid more successfully this kakistocracy.

WHO recommend 1M distancing.

Face coverings are advised from tomorrow in all places where social distancing is not possible

Let's hope that the protests nationwide over the last two weeks do not cause a rise in Covid-19 transmissions and deaths, as thousands (if not millions) of people's jobs are already precarious and another lockdown would be disastrous both mentally and financially.

Hetty58, in regard to your post @08:50 today, I believe that perhaps we are all learning the lesson that if legislation cannot be enforced and respected, then that legislation should not be introduced.

Boris Johnson had the vast majority of this nation with him and his government when the emergency lockdown measures were introduced.

However, in the last two weeks we have all witnessed large numbers within single-issue pressure groups totally ignore that legislation to cause mayhem and bring about the loss of all respect for that emergency legislation in the eyes of very many.

So, ether now the government demonstrates that it can return respect for that legislation or it withdraws such measures from the statute book altogether.

The risk of catching the virus now is very small.

I read that only one person in 1,700 is infected now.

The debate about distance is being framed far too simplistically as a sort of either/or. The whole context of the interaction has to be evaluated

Place of interaction indoors/outdoors
Length of interaction
Activity whilst interacting

And all underpinned by mask wearing and hand washing

It is time to get the economy back on track. If people are worried about catching the virus then stay at home, use local shops and come out of isolation when ready. Let the rest get on with their lives.

The police do what they can, can't expect them to be everywhere.

Whitewavemark2

Like Cummings you mean grandad?

Exactly Whitewavemark2.

The government only predicted and expected 80% compliance with lockdown. Even that was enough to make a huge difference.

Obviously, the rules can't be enforced. We have a policing service that's been run down and diminished for decades.

Of course, two metres is far safer than one. The pressure comes from business interests, desperate to help the survival of pubs, catering etc.

The restrictions are chaotic. People might as well be told to take whatever risk factor they are comfortable with as the government have given up.

Like Cummings you mean grandad?

Why bother to make any changes at all when whoever may choose can just disregard the advice and legislation in the knowledge that no action against them will be taken.

By not enforcing legislation such measures just bring the rule of law into total disrepute.

It’s got to come sooner or later and whenever it’s changed it will be too soon for some.

Whatever decisions the government make will come under fire, but attempting to rescue the economy is an absolute priority now.

The dreadful riots are another discussion altogether though aren’t they?

Sadly true Grandad.

Where's the logic? From this week you can take your children shopping, the zoo, plan a holiday etc but it's too dangerous to take them to school? Something is seriously amiss.

My wife and I are being told, under legislation, we cannot visit our daughters or their families in their homes and also we must keep a two-metre distance from all others wherever we go.

However, we witness now night after night on our televisions large numbers of protesters totally disregarding that legislation while carrying out large scale violence and disruption while little or nothing is done to stop them.

This government appears to have totally lost all control of the Covid-19 restraint situation, and for me now "Enough is Enough."

Someone in authority needs to get a grip.