By Two-metre rule is based on ‘outdated’ science
According to a recent study by the University of Oxford, the two-metre rule is based on ‘outdated’ science as coronavirus droplets are able to travel up to eight miles.
Scientists are now claiming that our understanding of both social distancing guidelines and transmission are “over-simplistic”, as the virus may travel further when someone sneezes or shouts.
The report, published in the British Medical Journal, says:
“Distribution of viral particles is affected by numerous factors, including air flow.
“Evidence suggests Sars-CoV-2 may travel more than two metres through activities such as coughing and shouting.
“Rules on distancing should reflect the multiple factors that affect risk, including ventilation, occupancy, and exposure time.”
There is, therefore, is no one-size-fits-all rule for social distancing, and high-risk environments should be subject to social distancing rules of up to 8m, it has been suggested:
“This would provide greater protection in the highest risk settings but also greater freedom in lower risk settings, potentially enabling a return towards normality in some aspects of social and economic life.”
It added that social distancing should:
“be seen only as one part of a wider public health approach to containing the pandemic. It should be used in combination with other strategies to reduce transmission risk, including hand washing, regular surface cleaning, protective equipment and face coverings.”
Contact Gi National
Email us: news@gi-media.co.uk
