Speaking to the House of Commons this afternoon, the health secretary Sajid Javid confirmed the government’s plan to lift mask-wearing, social gatherings restrictions and other legal restrictions put in place during the pandemic saying “freedom is in our sights once again.”
From Monday 19th July, all businesses will be able to open, without any of the current capacity limits, and mask-wearing and social distancing measures will be left to people’s personal responsibility.
Mr Javid stressed that the government was proceeding with caution and will recommend that people continue to wear face coverings in crowded areas such as on trains, trams and buses.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson will lead a Downing Street press conference at 5pm this evening, joined by chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and chief medical officer Chris Whitty to give further details of the plans.
