Letter to Yorkshire Post – We Need a Common Sense Approach to Social Distancing
June 6, 2020
It is important that the relaxation of restrictions reflects the state of the virus and reflects the state of the virus, and can be put into reverse if there are signs of a surge in infection.
But if hospitality businesses begin to open as planned after July 4, the Government needs to consider common-sense changes to the two metre social distancing rule inside premises – and in line with our European neighbours.
Germany and Holland are both applying 1.5m, while just 1m in recommended by France, Denmark, and the World Health Organisation.
Rigid adherence to 2m social distancing will make many pubs and eateries commercially unviable by unsustainably limiting the number of patrons they can admit, risking permanent damage to livelihoods and communities across York and North Yorkshire, and rising unemployment.
Our ability to finance a sustained coronavirus response obviously depends on ensuring the economy can provide funds for public services. Moving away from 2m for hospitality premises could be done gradually, dropping down to 1.5m, and then 1m, provided the prevalence of the virus continues to decline.
Ministers also need to plan for the moment where there is complete removal of social distancing requirements within hospitality venues, accompanied by broader safety precautions, as we adapt to the ‘new normal’ while progress is made on a Covid-19 vaccine.
Any such moves must of course be accompanied by ongoing shielding for the medically vulnerable, with most people empowered to make their own free decisions on whether to enter hospitality premises.
