The businesses calling on the government to relax the two metre social distancing rule

Restaurant owners, pub landlords, and hairdressers say the two metre social distancing rule must be reduced, if their businesses are to stay afloat and jobs saved.

Figures today show more than 600,000 people lost their jobs in the first six weeks of the coronavirus lockdown.

And with two-and-a-half weeks until opening - hospitality businesses say they urgently need more clarity.

The landlords of The White Horse in Hawkinge near Folkestone, have been trying to make their tables fit the two metre rule, ahead of pubs reopening next month.

They're worried that keeping customers two metres apart, and their pub less full - will hit their already stretched finances.

• Nicola Richens and Mark Godfrey, The White Horse in Hawkinge

The Hiltonbury Farmhouse in Chandler's Ford in Hampshire says that relaxing the distance rule would prevent job losses.

• Rob Preston The Hiltonbury Farmhouse

Spain and Canada also have a 2 metre social distancing rule in place. But elsewhere it's less. In the USA it's 1.8 metres.

It's 1.5 in countries such as Germany, Italy, Belgium, and Australia. But in South Korea - it's 1.4 metres. And in countries including Denmark, France, Norway and Hong Kong it's just one metre.

Scientists have warned that the risk of catching Covid-19 could be up to 30 times higher at one metre. And an immunologist from Hampshire says that risks a second wave.

Immunologist David Flavell believes reducing the distance to one metre could be possible if face masks were more widely distributed.

• David Flavell, Immunologist

And this hairdresser in Whiteley in Hampshire has been getting ready for the salon reopening.

• Danielle Carrier, Creative Director, Strands

Many businesses are hoping to know the outcome of the government's review of the 2 metre rule well ahead of July 4th.