RISHI UPON AFAR
Rishi Sunak gives further hint two-metre rule will be cut this week as he promises ‘enormous difference to business’
RISHI Sunak has given another hint the two-metre rule will be cut this week.
The Chancellor said the Prime Minister's review "will make an enormous difference" to businesses.
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Boris Johnson is expected to make an announcement next weeks on pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels reopening on July 4.
Mr Sunak said today: "The outcome of that review will be announced this week. Obviously that's something that will make an enormous difference I think to many businesses who are keen to see a change.
"Obviously we need to go through that review but I'm very understanding of the calls for action on that, particularly for our hospitality industry, for our pubs, for our restaurants, (they) are keen to see if there's some change that can be made there."
The Chancellor strongly signalled the PM's review will allow the Government to ease the measure in England - easing the pressure on a hospitality sector desperate to open back up.
Britain's high streets were opened back up last week and people were seen eagerly flooding to the shops - as the PM works to get the economy back up and running once more.
Scientists have said they are "totally comfortable with" the two-metre social distancing rule being reduced - but only if people sit side by side and wear face coverings as much as possible.
With the coroanvirus alert level having been reduced from four to three on Friday, plans to allow the hospitality sector to reopen were beginning to emerge.
And yesterday the PM told the nation to “watch this space” on the ruling as he declared the country was moving into the next phase of the Covid battle.
'WATCH THIS SPACE'
He also urged Brits to try to conquer their fear of Covid-19.
He went on: “We have got to start thinking of a world in which we are less apprehensive about this disease.
“Yes, it has been a horrible shock for the country and for the world and I think the British people have worked incredibly hard to drive it down.
"But we are starting to make some real progress with test and trace, treatments for the disease.
“I hope as we go towards the autumn people will be much, much more confident.”
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Guidance drawn up by the sector and ministers is understood to encourage pub goers to order drinks using phone apps instead of going to the bar, while current legislation was said to include the powers for patrols.
Downing Street is expected to make the crunch decision on the two-metre rule within days.
The PM also said it is his intention that children of all ages in England should be able to return to school on a five-days-a-week basis in September.
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Education Secretary Gavin Williamson suggested that primary school class sizes of 15, known as "bubbles", could be expanded back to their normal size to allow more children back in the classroom.
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In Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford was planning to end its five-mile restriction on travel next month and allow holidaymakers to return a week later.
And in Northern Ireland, most pupils are set for a return to education in the autumn after ministers agreed to cut the social distancing measure to one metre.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock says the Department for Education is looking at a relaxation for the 2 metre rule in England