Can I talk to neighbours?

[bobsuruncle]

Me and DH were doing some gardening this morning and got chatting to our neighbours over the fence. We were probably about 8 foot away from each other but chatted for a good 15 or 20 mins.

I’ve been worrying all afternoon that it was a bit of a risky thing to do and we should of kept more of a distance - especially if the virus is airborne. Should we have been more careful?

It is over 2m, I would say fine. You are being sensible, it's ok.

8ft is over 2m isn’t it so I don’t see why not.

As long as you're at least 2m away, it's fine. The latest from WHO is that the virus is NOT airborne:

www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/modes-of-transmission-of-virus-causing-covid-19-implications-for-ipc-precaution-recommendations

In other countries the guidelines are that 2 m is not a safe distance for a conversation of more than a few minutes because of droplets in the air. 2 m is safe for interacting with someone briefly or standing behind them in a queue.

I’m chatting to neighbours over the garden wall from a safe distance - we have a lone parent on either side, and both are desperate for adult company! When the weather warms up we are planning a glass of wine “together but apart”.

Oh fgs, we are allowed to talk to people.
You kept your distance, its fine. Theres no evidence its transmitted by sound waves

It's fine. Some people on here would have to bellowing through a megaphone 50 feet away to talk to your neighbours..

*you not to

I’m worried because I read there’s some new research that says it is airborne.

You are following the guidelines correctly. We are just trying to minimise the risk that we all catch it at the same time. You cannot completely eliminate the risk.
Just keep doing what youre doing and please talk to your neighbours. These little things are what keep people going