Spending seconds 1 metre from a colleague 'is equivalent to an hour 2 meters away'

With England’s coronavirus lockdown measures easing, thousands of Brits are expected to return to work this week.

While advice from the UK government is to maintain a two metre distance between yourself and others, this is easier said than done in many workplaces.

Now, one expert has warned that spending just a few seconds at a one metre distance from a colleague could equate to around an hour of being two metres away from the same person, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Andrew Curran, chief scientific adviser at the Health and Safety Executive, said: “If the exposure at a distance of less than two metres is going to be for a short period of time, you manage the risk in the context of duration and orientation.

“There is some physics in this and the Sage sub-group is looking at that to provide better information.

Colleagues in the office (Getty)

“For example, if you were exposed for a few seconds at one metre, that is about the same as being exposed for a longer period of time - an hour, say - at two metres. It is that order of magnitude.

“There may be elements within a job where there is exposure for a short period, but where the risk is so low it can be managed.”

Advice on social distancing varies around the world, with the UK advised to remain two metres away from others, and the World Health Organisation advising a lesser distance of one metre.

However, studies have shown that even two metres may not be enough to stop the spread of the virus.

In March, a study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology suggested that people should keep eight metres away from each other to prevent infection.

Its researchers believe droplets propelled by coughs and sneezes can fly up to eight metres in warm, moist climates.