Has the 2m rule changed in the UK? Why Boris Johnson has relaxed social distancing guidance to 1m plus - and what it means

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that the UK’s “national hibernation” is beginning to come to an end, after announcing several changes to lockdown restrictions on Tuesday (23 June).

Mr Johnson said that life is now starting to return to the streets as he unveiled the next phase of easing lockdown, but warned the virus is still not defeated.

A number of relaxations are due to be implemented across England from 4 July following the latest review, including changes to social distancing rules.

Will the 2m rule be relaxed?

The Prime Minister announced on Tuesday (23 June) that where the two metre social distancing rule cannot be applied, it will instead be replaced with a “one metre-plus” measure from 4 July.

Mr Johnson acknowledged that the two-metre rule "effectively makes life impossible for large parts of our economy", and some MPs had previously expressed fears that keeping the rule in place would impede recovery.

The hospitality industry had also warned that pubs and restaurants would struggle to recover if the measure remained in place.

As a result, Mr Johnson said that "difficult judgments" had to be made in the decision to amend the rule.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday (23 June), he said: "Whilst the experts cannot give a precise assessment of how much the risk is reduced, they judge these mitigations would make 'one metre-plus' broadly equivalent to the risk at two metres if those mitigations are fully implemented."

What does “one metre-plus” mean?

As of 4 July, where a social distance of two metres cannot be applied, such as in pubs or restaurants, it will instead be replaced with a distance of “one metre-plus”.

The "plus" element refers to putting in mitigating measures to reduce the risk of transmission.

This includes wearing a mask, regularly washing hands and sitting side-by-side rather than face-to-face where possible.

The move is intended to make it easier for the hospitality sector and other businesses to reopen.

However, the Prime Minister stressed that the virus has not yet gone away and warned that the government would reintroduce restrictions if necessary.

He said: "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."

Reducing the social distancing measure to one metre plus is similar to World Health Organisation (WHO) advice, which now recommends a one metre policy.

Such guidance is already being followed by several countries, including France, Denmark and Singapore.