Study says distances are safe to run with coronavirus

The safe running distance should be 10 meters

A study carried out in Belgium and the Netherlands on sports practice habits, to see how it could affect coronavirus transmission, suggests that a distance of 1,5 meters would not be enough.

This information arises from the result of the study carried out by KU Leuven (Belgium) and TU Eindhoven (Netherlands). (See links below)

In many countries, in the quarantine by Covid-19 walking, cycling or even running is allowed, however it is important to note that you should avoid practicing with others.

In Spain it is not allowed to go out to do sports

During the state of alarm decreed in Spain,  It is not allowed to go out to the street to practice sports, although government sources already they are studying to take some measure in this regard, but always based on data and in low risk areas

The distance between 1 and 2 meters is effective if you are standing inside or outside if there is no wind.

The social distancing rule that many countries are applying between 1 and 2 meters seems effective as long as you are standing indoors or even outdoors with little wind.

But when you go for a walk, run or bike, you have to be more careful. When someone breathes, sneezes or coughs during a race, these particles remain in the air.

And a person running behind could break through the call sliding flow, which could be infected with Covid.

The researchers reached this conclusion simulating the appearance of saliva particles of people during movement (walking and running) and from different positions (one next to the other, diagonally one behind the other and directly one behind the other).

Normally, this type of tests is used to improve the performance level of athletes, since staying in the other's air stream is very effective, known as Drafting.

But when you do the study on COVID-19, the recommendation is to stay out of this stream according to research.

The study reflects that people who breathe also leave particles in the air

particles in the air from the Covid 19
particles in the air from the Covid 19

The cloud of drops left by a person is clearly visible. “People who sneeze or cough scatter drops with greater force, but also people who simply breathe will leave particles ".

The red dots in the image represent the largest particles. These create the greatest chance of contamination, but they also fall faster.

The highest risk occurs when they are running one after another

The risk of contamination is greater when people are one behind the other, in the other's slough.

"Keep in mind that when a person goes through that cloud they can still land on clothing“, according to Professor Bert Blocken.

If they go together or diagonally there is less risk

Outside of simulations, it appears that social distancing plays a minor role cWhen 2 people go close to each other in a low wind environment (when they are running or walking), since the drops move behind the couple

Drops land behind when placed diagonally behind each other, the risk is also less to catch the drops from the main runner.

The recommended distances

Covid 19 airborne particles and recommended running distances
Covid 19 airborne particles and recommended running distances

On the basis of these results, the scientist advises that for walking, the distance of people going in the same direction should be at least 4–5 meters, for running it should be 10 meters and for bicycle it should be at least 20 meters.

  • If walking in the same direction: 4-5 meters
  • If you run in the same direction: 10 meters
  • To bike slowly: 10 meters
  • To ride a bike fast 20 meters

Also, when passing someone on a bicycle, it is recommended to be in a different lane for a considerable distance.

(1): https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/belgisch-onderzoek-fietsen-joggen-of-wandelen-doe-je-best-niet-achter-elkaar-in-tijden-van-corona~b60aece6/

(2): https://www.hln.be/wetenschap-planeet/wetenschap/belgisch-onderzoek-fietsen-joggen-of-wandelen-doe-je-best-niet-achter-elkaar-in-tijden-van-corona~a60aece6/

(3): http://www.urbanphysics.net/Social%20Distancing%20v20_White_Paper.pdf

(4): http://www.urbanphysics.net/COVID19_Aero_Paper.pdf

 

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