Rules on social distancing, working from home and wearing face masks will be dropped in UK on July 19 and replaced with ‘personal responsibility,’ it has been reported.
The British Government is said to be encouraged by the “very, very” low number of Covid-19 deaths and an apparent slowdown in infections.
The Times reports that lockdown rules will be almost totally lifted on July 19 with ‘personal responsibility’ replacing laws on social distancing and face masks.
George Eustice, the environment secretary says he will not be wearing his once the rule is scrapped, adding: “I want to get back to normal.” There will be no “legal compulsion” to wear face masks once England’s coronavirus restrictions are lifted, the environment secretary has told Sky News, as he said he will ditch his face covering when the rule is scrapped.
George Eustice said the government wants “all of the legal requirements to do things to be taken away completely” at step four of its roadmap for lifting COVID-19 measures, which is currently scheduled for 19 July.
“Whether there will still be some people who might choose to wear masks or whether it may be advisory in some settings, that’s a separate matter,” he said. “But the objective of that final stage is to remove the legal requirement to do these things.”
Asked if he would continue to wear a face covering beyond that point, the minister replied: “I wouldn’t, no. I have to be honest, once I’m told it’s safe not to, I want to get back to normal. I think a lot of people will want to shed those masks.”
