From going to a bar to opening post: US doctors release list of riskiest activities post-lockdown
Research from doctors in the US has found that the riskiest activity to do now that lockdown has eased is going to a bar.
On a scale of one to 10, heading out to a bar holds a nine in terms of the risk of catching COVID-19, according to experts from the Texas Medical Association (TMA).
Sitting alongside going to a bar are: going to church with more than 500 people, attending a sporting event at a stadium and going to a concert.
The 53,000 physicians and medical students from the TMA believe these activities are the most risky with regards to the transmission of coronavirus.
Other high risk activities include going to the cinema or eating at a buffet, as is going to the gym.
The list was released in the US – which has reported more than 132,000 coronavirus deaths and over three millions cases – just days after pubs reopened in England.
Sitting on the other end of the TMA’s scale, with a rank of just one, in terms of risk is opening the post.
Other activities regarded as low risk include getting petrol, having a takeaway delivered and going camping.
The list was compiled based on how easy it was to maintain social distance, according to the TMA.
They said: “The levels are based on input from the physician members of the task force and the committee, who worked from the assumption that – no matter the activity – participants were taking as many safety precautions as they can.”
The UK government relaxed lockdown restrictions in England over the weekend, meaning pubs, bars and restaurants were able to reopen.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced on Wednesday that the government’s ‘eat out to help out’ scheme will mean meals eaten at any participating restaurants from Monday to Wednesday during August will be 50% cheaper, up to a maximum discount of £10 per head for everyone.
Businesses can then claim the money back, with funds in their bank account within five working days.
The move is an attempt to encourage people to head back out to restaurants to boost the economy following months of lockdown.
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