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Readers voted in our exclusive poll on whether the current two-metre social distancing measure should be reduced. It comes amid concerns over whether businesses will be able to survive with the restriction when they reopen.

Some 58 percent of respondents to the Express.co.uk poll said the two-metre rule should be cut.

Of those, 28 percent thought it should be reduced to one metre, 23 percent want it removed altogether, and seven percent said to 1.5 metres.

Forty-one percent did not think it should be slashed, while one percent did not know.

Commenting on the poll, one reader said: “Scrap it!!!”

Another wrote: “The only time you see the 2m is in a queue. Walking around, inside shops, it just doesn’t happen.”

A third said: “If it isn’t broken don’t fix it, give it time!”

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said the Government is keeping the two-metre measure under review.

Speaking at the Downing Street press conference, he said: “When it is safe to do so, we will see whether you can move to a shorter distance but ultimately we keep all of these things under review.

“There are other countries in the world that have moved from two metres to closer distances.

“Of course, they are further along in terms of their road map, in terms of opening up businesses.

“We are taking a cautious view on this. I completely understand why for economic reasons businesses will want to have a look at this two-metre rule.”

Chief executive of the British Retail Consortium Helen Dickinson warned many stores will struggle with the two-metre rule after non-essential shops were given the green light to reopen on Monday.

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She said: “Retailers who are not yet open have been working hard to install Perspex screens, hygiene systems and apply social distancing measures.

“We hope the public will take the opportunity from next week to go out and support millions of stores up and down the country.

“Nonetheless, the challenge for these stores is not over.

“Many firms will continue to struggle as the two-metre rule will limit sales while retailers continue to face the same rent and other fixed costs.

“If the Government is to limit retailers in this way, it must be prepared to provide an ongoing package of support to address the economic difficulties they will face.”

Organisations representing the hospitality industry have called for the rule to be reduced to one metre.

They fear many entertainment venues such as pubs and restaurants will not be able to make enough money if the two-metre rule, which restricts customer numbers more severely, stays in place.

Express.co.uk polled 1,558 people on June 9 between 9.30am and 8.30pm.

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