CORONAVIRUS

Coronavirus infection rates show every metre counts

Boris Johnson has said that he hopes to be able to relax the two-metre rule
Boris Johnson has said that he hopes to be able to relax the two-metre rule
ADAM PAPADATOS/ALAMY

The risk of catching coronavirus from an infected person falls from 13 per cent at less than one metre to 3 per cent further away and halves with each extra metre, according to an overview of dozens of studies.

The research comes after a government adviser called for a “green cross code for coronavirus” to replace the two-metre rule. Professor Robert West, of University College London, said that people must be helped to make their own decisions on risk based on a better understanding of how the virus is transmitted, rather than using a blanket rule.

Standing closer together outdoors or when not facing each other could be considered safe, but employers may need to install ventilation systems to allow people to sit even two