Social distancing and working from home could be scrapped by summer as part of Covid roadmap

Social distancing and working from home could be scrapped by the summer under a review ordered as part of Boris Johnson’s roadmap out of lockdown.

The Prime Minister said the review would investigate the impact on transmission of vaccines and the potential benefits from the growing number of people who have been inoculated.

This would enable ministers to decide whether the current one-metre plus rule on social distancing and requirements on wearing face masks indoors could be lifted as early as the middle of June.

It would also mean that guidance recommending that people work from home where they can could also be eased from June 17 although the government advice will remain in place until then.

June 17 marks the fourth step in the roadmap and the earliest point at which the country could return fully to normal living.

The roadmap document, published on Feb 22, said: “Social distancing is difficult and damaging for businesses and, as a result, it is important to return to as near to normal as quickly as possible.

“Ahead of Step 4, as more is understood about the impact of vaccines on transmission and a far greater proportion of the population has been vaccinated, the Government will complete a review of social distancing measures and other long-term measures that have been put in place to limit transmission.”

The Prime Minister also announced a review to investigate ways in which social distancing could be eased at big events such as sports, music festivals, large weddings and conferences.

This will involve pilots at events where there will be enhanced testing and other measures that could enable them to go ahead without the one-metre plus social distancing rules.

Depending on the outcome of this work, the Government hopes to be able to lift restrictions on these events and sectors as part of Step 4.