New government guideline are set to be released on Tuesday with announcements on the hospitality industry and the two metre rule being the source of the most anticipated news.
The two metre guild line has been under scrutiny by MPs in recent weeks who called for it to be reduced to one metre. Over the weekend Health Secretary Matt Handcock said England was “clearly on track” to reduce restrictions which makes the two metre rule a likely candidate for modification.
The future of pubs, hotels and restaurants are also set for an examination with the Prime Minister potentially announcing a scheduled reopening on the 4th July. This will be geared to allowing an economic restart in the badly affected hospitality industry.
There is to be a discussion in the COVID-19 response committee between Boris Johnson, chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and chief medical officer for England Professor Chris Whitty to discuss these changes.
Security Minister James Brokenshire told BBC Breakfast with regards to reduction of the two metre rule: “There has been a great deal of work that’s been taking place at pace over the last number of days, informed by the science, informed by experience from around the world as well, as to how we can appropriately look at easements and appropriately also reflect on the two-metre rule as well.”
He also said that the government would continue to be advised by “the best, most up to date science.”
Chancellor Rushi Sunak also dropped a big hint about the announcements by saying:
“The outcome of that review will be announced this week. Obviously that’s something that will make an enormous difference I think to many businesses who are keen to see a change,” he told reporters.
“Obviously we need to go through that review but I’m very understanding of the calls for action on that, particularly for our hospitality industry, for our pubs, for our restaurants, (they) are keen to see if there’s some change that can be made there.”
