Can Facilitate Virus Transmission... Effective Among People Sitting Face-to-Face
[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Jinsoo Lee] A report has emerged stating that transparent acrylic partitions installed in restaurants or workplaces to block droplets (saliva droplets) do not effectively prevent COVID-19 transmission.
The Environmental Modelling Group (EMG), under the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) advising the UK government on COVID-19 response, warned in a report released on the 30th of last month (local time) that partitions may sometimes facilitate virus transmission rather than block it.
COVID-19 spreads through tiny droplets released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks, or breathes.
EMG acknowledged that transparent acrylic partitions are effective in blocking virus transmission between two people sitting face-to-face at a distance of less than 2 meters. However, they pointed out that the partitions have little effect in blocking the virus between people who are farther apart, as the virus can easily circumvent the partitions in a short moment following air flow.
EMG stated in the report, "Partitions can block or alter air flow patterns, or cause poor air circulation, which may actually increase the risk of droplet transmission. This depends on the air flow patterns at the site."
In June, the UK government opposed the installation of droplet-blocking partitions in a report, citing that blocked air flow could exacerbate virus transmission.
EMG also noted that in some spaces, transparent acrylic partitions reduce surface contamination. However, they added that for people more than 2 meters apart or not facing each other, partitions do not appear to directly reduce exposure risk to virus-containing droplets.
Nevertheless, the UK National Health Service (NHS) encourages companies to install partitions, reasoning that they help employees maintain social distancing. The UK government has also recommended installing partitions.
EMG stated that the effectiveness of partitions can be influenced by spatial layout, ventilation, and partition size. Additionally, partitions serve as a reminder to people to maintain social distancing.
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