Two hours of socially-distanced waiting? Britons love to queue, but not that much

The majority of adults are reluctant to return to concerts and sporting events that have socially-distanced queues, government data show.

The weekly Office for National Statistics survey on the social impacts of Covid for May 5 to 9 found compliance with measures to stop the spread of the virus remained generally high.

However, new questions revealed that most adults were nervous about attending organised events as lockdown restrictions ease.

Between April 28 and May 3, the ONS asked adults how the pandemic had affected the likelihood of them attending such events. It found 41 per cent would feel more positive about attending if an event required people to show proof of a negative Covid test.

In comparison, 71 per cent said they would be less likely to attend an organised event if they had to spend an extra two hours in a venue while a socially-distanced queue was formed.

Researchers also found that having no social distancing, being told to wear a face covering during an entire event and not being able to eat or buy food also made people less likely to want to attend.

The figures came as Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister, said step three of England’s lockdown easing would go ahead on Monday despite soaring cases of the Indian Covid variant in the UK.

Latest figures show there are 1,313 cases of the variant in Britain, up from 520 the previous week.

The Government is now considering bringing forward vaccine second doses in areas with high case numbers of the variant. The Department of Health said most cases are in the North West of England, with some in London.

Surge testing, increased genomic sequencing and enhanced contact tracing have been introduced in the 15 affected areas.

Mr Zahawi said the lockdown easing roadmap "remains in place because the vaccines are delivering".

From May 17, pubs and restaurants will be able to reopen indoors and people will be allowed to mix indoors as two households or under the rule of six. People will also be able to choose whether they socially distance with close family and friends.

On June 21 – step four of the map out of lockdown – the Government wants to end "all limits on social contact".