United Kingdom Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has confirmed that face masks will no longer be compulsory in enclosed public spaces, if lockdown is eased as expected on July 19.
The law will be watered down to guidance encouraging people to wear coverings in crowded settings like public transport and hospitality venues – while social distancing rules will also be dropped.
The move which goes against the advice of some scientists and comes despite surging coronavirus case numbers – was announced as the Prime Minister confirmed that England’s unlocking is due to go ahead on ‘freedom day’, following a previous delay. That decision is likely to be rubber stamped next Monday, July 12.
Social distancing in pubs and bars will end – along with needing to use a QR code to check-in – meaning a return to drinking at the bar without the requirement for table service.
But the ‘one-metre plus’ rule will now end, the PM confirmed.
Mass events, including festivals, are also set to be allowed under the proposals for the final stage of the road map out of lockdown, as is the reopening on nightclubs.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Mr Johnson confirmed all legal Covid rules would be scrapped and emphasised that the vaccine rollout now meant the country had to learn to live with the virus.
He said: ‘We will remove all legal limits on meeting outdoors and indoors, we’ll allow all business to reopen including nightclubs, we will lift the limit on named visitors to care home and on people attending concerts, theatre and sports events.
‘We will end the one metre plus rule and the legal obligation to wear a face covering, although guidance will suggest where you might choose to do so especially when cases are rising and you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet, in enclosed spaces such as crowded public transport.’
Hospitalisations and deaths are far below the levels seen in previous waves.
But there is unease among experts concerned that a further relaxation of rules will mean the current spike in infections grows – increasing the chance of new variants emerging and vulnerable people getting seriously ill and dying.
The public is also against the change on face masks, a new poll suggested on Monday.
The coverings are known to dramatically reduce the risk of infection spreading but many find them uncomfortable to wear.
Rumours of the move had led to a debate among experts, politicians and unions about how the public should respond to any new guidance.
Experts are split on whether now is the time to turn laws into guidance – which will suggest people might choose to wear masks in ‘enclosed and crowded places’.
But Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (Spi-B) which advises the Government, branded them ‘crucial mitigation’.
Asked if he was more concerned about the Government’s messaging around the pandemic or the requirement to wear facemasks potentially being dropped, he said ‘I think both.
‘I think we need very clear messaging and I think in certain spaces, crowded, badly ventilated spaces, masks are crucial mitigation.’
Source: Metro
