Two-meter social distancing rule to be cut in England

A sign advising customers to maintain the British government’s current social distancing guidelines and stay two metres (2M) apart, is pictured inside a shopping centre in Walthamstow, east London on June 22, 2020. – Britain’s current social distancing guidelines set the distance between each person at two metres to avoid the risk of contamination to coronavirus. There is pressure on the government to reduce this distance in order to give a boost to bars, restaurants and hotels, which are scheduled to reopen next month. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)

LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — The two-metre social distancing rule to curb the spread of the coronavirus will be cut in England from July 4, after complaints from companies that keeping it made business impossible.

“Where it is possible to keep two metres apart, people should. But where it is not, we will advise people to keep a social distance of one metre plus,” said Prime Minister Boris Johnson.