One-metre physical distancing ‘by end of month’

Tuesday 16 June 2020

Physical distancing is likely to reduce from two metres to one metre by the end of the month, a new report has suggested.

Islanders must currently keep two metres away from each other while out in public.

If they fail to do so at the request of a Police officer, they will receive a fine under a law passed by the Health Minister last month in a bid to curb the spread of covid-19 locally. 

As part of that law, the Medical Officer of Health is required to produce a report every two weeks on the number of cases to outline any changes in the risk of spread.

In the first of those reports released this afternoon, Deputy Medical Officer of Health Dr Ivan Muscat explained that, while the number of cases has slightly risen in recent weeks from one confirmed case per 19 tests to one per 26 tests, this has gone hand-in-hand with a significant ramping up of testing.

Pictured: Deputy Medical Officer for Health, Ivan Muscat, recommending the current two-metre guidance for now.

While he declined to recommend suspending offences or changing physical distancing guidance to just one metre at this stage, Dr Muscat said that he expected to be able to do so by the time of his next report on 25 June.

“During this early phase of our entry into Level Two, it is recommended that the current safe distancing regulations and associated offences are maintained. It is anticipated that, if Covid-19 cases remain low, physical distancing could be reduced to 1 metre and the associated offences relaxed,” he said. 

Health Minister Deputy Richard Renouf welcomed the report’s findings this afternoon, commenting: “I am pleased to see that, while there has been a small increase in the number of known active cases, this is to be expected with an increase in testing capacity, and the MOH has reassured us that the small rise in cases should not be construed as significant or unexpected.”

Ahead of the next report, the Minister has requested further information on the estimated impact of further easing current measures to restrict the spread of the virus.

Pictured: Dr Muscat said the slight rise in case numbers was due to a rise in testing.

“I have asked the MOH for evidence on the safety of 1 metre distancing, information about any changes in transmission since we moved to Level 2, the potential effect of lifting travel restrictions and the impact on children and their wellbeing.”

The news will be welcomed by many hospitality outlets, whose revenues have been hit by the current distancing measures, as they prevent them from operating at normal capacity. 

Reducing physical distancing to one metre is also expected to facilitate the opening of schools to more year groups.  

Read Dr Muscat's full report by clicking HERE.