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Will UK follow German lead on

social distancing at exhibitions? WINKEL BEARING
AND PROFILE

NO.1 IN HEAVY
THE CALL TO SCRAP THE TWO METRE RULE TO SAVE THE ECONOMY LOAD HANDLING

he Government is reported to be considering
relaxing the ‘two-metre rule’ for social distancing.
“About time,” says Alan Jenkins, managing
Tdirector at exhibition stand building company ALU-U-PROFILE FOR
®
VULKOLLAN & POLYAMID
Quadrant2Design. “To be frank, while the two-metre rule
WINKEL BEARINGS
remains in place, large sectors of the economy remain
unviable. While some cafés and restaurants have opened
for deliveries and takeaways, only a handful of people can
enter shops at the same time; far fewer than would be
required to cover costs.”
While these measures may have been prudent during
the initial phases of lockdown, Jenkins argues that the one metre is safe, Australia one and a half metres; Italy HEAVY DUTY
two-metre rule is no longer fit for purpose, and should be and France one metre. WINKEL BEARING
NEW 3-ROW
reduced to one-metre. “To take just one example, the “I can’t fault the Government for taking a safety-first
British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) has been explicit approach initially, even if the evidence pointed to two-
in calling on the Government to reduce social distancing metres being merely marginally safer than one metre. The MULTI AXIS
rules from two to one-metre. Even if beer gardens open, as point is that we now have evidence from other countries LINEAR SYSTEM
rumoured by July, two-metre distancing will severely that imposed a less stringent requirement and now have
undermine capacity. Struggling pubs may appreciate any fewer excess deaths from Covid-19 than the UK. The UK’s 50 kg - 5 T
measures that stem loss, but this is far from the support more restrictive interpretation has not made us safer, but HIGHLY DYNAMIC
the sector needs. has placed an enormous burden on the economy.”
STANDARD &
“In my business, which designs and builds exhibition Failure to relax the requirements under these
BESPOKE
stands for large conferences, moving to a one-metre circumstances indicate that the Government can’t admit it
SOLUTIONS
distance would enable exhibitions to resume, whereas a was initially overly cautious. So, while bars and
two-metre distance doesn’t allow a sufficient footfall to restaurants are opening in France from the second of June,
justify exhibitions going ahead.” with one-metre social distancing, their British
counterparts continue to suffer potential financial ruin.
Effective response “The second point is that, while Covid-19 has been
If this sounds mad, Jenkins points to the example of framed as a public health crisis, the link between
Germany, which has led one of the most effective economic and physical wellbeing is well known,” says
Covid-19 responses in Europe, and has announced Jenkins. “Unemployment and underemployment take a
exhibitions will not be classed as ‘mass gatherings’, severe toll on individuals’ mental and physical wellbeing.
enabling the resumption of shows as early as June. The Government must now grasp the opportunity to make
“Public transport represents another obvious flaw in whole sectors of the economy viable again and enable
the Government’s insistence on a two-metre distance. people to return to work. LIFTING SYSTEMS
Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, claimed “I suspect the Government knows the two-metre
LOAD CAPACITY 50 kg - 50 t
that public transport could only run at 10% of normal distance doesn’t provide a significant increase in
capacity with social distancing measures in place. Even protection. The problem is that policymakers are scared of HEIGHTS OF UP TO 50 METERS
self-powered commutes, for instance walking and cycling, being seen to provide inconsistent advice, particularly in
1-, 2- OR 4-COLUMN
often involve coming within two metres of another person. light of ongoing criticism of the failure to tackle Covid-19
VERSIONS
This is completely unworkable and contradictory to the and the widespread perception of hypocrisy by key
Government's stated desire for people to return to work. government advisers. PALLET-, MATERIAL-,
“It should be obvious to most reasonable observers “If this is the case, the Government needs to get over AUTOMOBILE
that shutting down large sectors of the economy and itself. People will accept a relaxation of social distancing, STAINLESS STEEL LIFTER
public transport is not a viable option. Why then does the and if anything will thank you for initially taking a cautious
SPECIAL DESIGNS
Government persist with this approach?” approach. What the public won’t accept is the fallout from
Supporters of the Government would argue that it has the financial failure of large sectors of the economy. SHORT DELIVERY TIME
followed scientific advice in the interests of public health. “The Government must act now to scrap the two-metre
“On the face of it, social distancing has slowed the spread rule to get the country back on its feet. In doing so it
of the virus,” says Jenkins. “The NHS hasn’t been can save not just lives, but livelihoods.”
overwhelmed. Most agree that we can’t risk a second MORE INFORMATION: www.quadrant2design.com
wave of Covid-19, placing strain on the NHS and leading Innovations
to another deep lockdown. The UK has a number of important exhibitions that move
“This view is perfectly sensible but forgets that two- scheduled for the Autumn. As things stand at the
metres was only ever a rule of thumb, rather than an moment, would you be happy to attend and try to
HepcoMotion Head Office
objective measure of safety. The UK is a notable maintain a 2m or even a 1m social distancing rule?
Tiverton Way, Tiverton, Devon
international outlier in its interpretation of a safe distance Would you attend with fairly relaxed attitude, or are you
EX16 6TG, United Kingdom
to avoid the spread of Covid-19. For instance, the World currently thinking you won’t attend? Let us know your
Health Organisation has recommended that a distance of thoughts. Email me at mark.simms@itmagazine.uk.com Tel. +44 (0)1884 257000
sales@hepcomotion.com
May/June 2020 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY