Could coronavirus spread like this?

[goghsunflowers]

If someone were to sit a metre apart from two friends on a beach for about 6 hours, how likely would it be that the virus could be passed on? And is it the distance or the amount of time that is more important?

I'm not looking for opinions on whether this fits in with the guidelines, just how likely it is. Thanks

Unlikely as outside

Depends if they touch gates or any fences etc. Or, frankly, if they leave their shit and piss everywhere.

Unlikely due to being outside and sitting apart. If they coughed or sneezed over each other at close range then it would be more likely

I think that it would be safer than following someone on a bike for a while or jogging behind someone when you would be breathing in the air just after them. I Would still aim to sit further than 1 metre away from others on beach ...also check which way wind is blowing.

One of them would also have to be infected, which isn't likely, so it's really very safe.

Not impossible but very unlikely.

Why 1m and not 2m?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I heard that the 2m distance is irrelevant if you spend extended amounts of time with people. So low chance of transmission if you walked past someone that’s 2m away, but a higher chance if you sit 1m near them for hours on end.

@Mnthrowaway20202 That's what I had understood too - that the distance is really less important than the length of time at that point - but the research is changing so regularly I wasn't sure if this was still the case.

That only applies if inside. If you’re on a beach and there’s a breeze and you’re 2m away, the virus would just blow away. But in any case, the chance of your friends having it at this moment is really low.

@Mnthrowaway20202 Sorry, I didn't answer your question. Not me in this scenario, but I assume it was 1m rather than 2m because it felt like enough distance and probably feels hard to communicate from 2m+ away. Also, are we not one of the only countries to be recommending 2m?

Thanks @Eyewhisker for clarifying and everyone for your replies, I feel a lot more reassured now!

Again, touching gates or fences as you pass through them, closely followed by another person touching the same gate or fence - you barely even notice you are doing it - that can pass on the virus. So good hand hygiene is still essential.