What is the one metre plus rule? How the new social distancing guideline works

For three months the distance of two metres has been at the forefront of people's minds.

Up and down the country people have been standing on markers to ensure they stay 200cm behind the person ahead, and trying to visualise what two metres looks like when there's no guide to help them.

The move, recommended by the UK government's top scientific advisers, was implemented in March to help slow down the spread of coronavirus.

While it's possible for people queuing in supermarkets and to enter high street stops, pub landlords and restaurateurs have said the rules would prevent them from making any money when they're allowed to reopen.

On Tuesday Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the new "one metre plus" rule that would help businesses in England, such as pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and hotels, reopen from early July.

What is the one metre plus rule?

Some pubs have offered takeaway services in recent weeks, but could soon welcome their first customers inside from early July (SplashNews.com)

This new social distancing measurement would mean people can be one metre away from people they don't live with, if they make additional efforts to protect themselves.

Efforts to mitigate transmission include avoiding face-to-face seating, reducing the number of people inside, improving ventilation, installing protective screens and additional hand sanitiser.

Officials have concluded that following this new guidance would be the same, in terms of public safety, to the existing two-metre rule.

These changes will apply to England only.

What does it mean for pubs, restaurants and hairdressers?

The businesses most affected by the existing rule are set to be told they can reopen as soon as Saturday July 4.

Expect more scenes like this at the salon - a hairdresser wearing a full face visor and masks (Isopix/Shutterstock)

Landlords had previously warned that 2m distances between customers would make pub trading "unsustainable".

Instead customers in pubs and restaurants will likely be able to sit nearer together, but not necessarily face to face.

In hair salons and barbers, stylists will likely be wearing full-face visors and not be as talkative as usual.

Schools could also return to full class sizes of nearly 30 children when the new academy year starts in Septeember.

Classes would increase from 15 to normal as the size of teaching “bubbles” double.