This is how long social distancing measures could be in place for

Tuesday, 5th May 2020, 1:11 pm
Updated Thursday, 7th May 2020, 4:13 pm
Social distancing has been in place for several weeks now (Getty Images)

The easing of lockdown measures is on the horizon, but social distancing could be with us for some time.

Boris Johnson is expected to unveil a “road map” out of lockdown on Sunday to “fire up the engines of the UK economy”.

The move out of a strict lockdown would see current social distancing measures kept in place and new ones such as the use of face coverings introduced.

Though the end of lockdown is in sight, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and First Secretary of State Dominic Raab are among those warning the UK to prepare for “a new normal” involving social distancing for the foreseeable future.

How long will social distancing measures be in place?

Simply put, social distancing measures in some form will be in place until a successful vaccine has been tried, tested, licensed and administered to the general public.

Since the start of the pandemic it has been warned that this is a time-consuming process which typically takes 12 to 18 months.

By that rule of thumb it would be reasonable to expect that a vaccine would not be available until well into 2021.

Chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty has warned that the chances of a suitable vaccine or treatment being ready before the close of the year was “incredibly small”.

As a result Whitty said that social distancing measures would need to be in place for “really quite a long period of time”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has previously warned that Covid-19 is “here to stay” and that social distancing measures would be necessary until a vaccine was available.

What are current social distancing rules?

Current social distancing measures encourage the UK public to stay at home, and only go out if they have “ a reasonable excuse”.

These excuses include:

-  exercise (alone or with a member of their own household)

- shopping for necessities

- medical needs

- travel to or from work (if not possible to work from home).

When outside members of the public are urged to stay more than two metres apart.

Public gatherings of more than two people are also banned under current social distancing rules.

Clinically vulnerable people should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household.

What new rules could be introduced?





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