At present, Government guidance specifies that everyone should keep 2 metres away from people outside their households or support bubbles wherever possible. All public health guidance is kept under constant review to ensure it reflects the latest advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and the latest evidence that we have on the transmission of the virus.

The Prime Minister commissioned a comprehensive review of the guidance relating to people keeping 2 metres apart, which considered advice from a range of experts including the chief medical officer and the chief scientific adviser, as well as behavioural scientists and economists.

The outcome of this review is that, while people should still keep 2 metres apart wherever possible, if they cannot they should stay more than one metre away, while taking appropriate mitigations to reduce the risk of transmission. I welcome that guidance is being published to support businesses with this approach, and that this step will enable the next phase of restrictions of lockdown regulations.