BRITS will be “expected” to wear masks in indoors and enclosed spaces, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi revealed today.
Face coverings will no longer be mandatory from July 19 once all Covid curbs are lifted.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest updates
Boris Johnson is expected to confirm tomorrow that all remaining restrictions will be lifted on Freedom Day.
But new guidance to be published on Monday will advise people to wear masks in crowded, indoor settings, Mr Zahawi told Sky News.
Mr Zahawi said: “I think it is important that we remain cautious and careful and the guidelines that we will set out tomorrow will demonstrate that.
“Including guidelines that people are expected to wear masks in indoor, enclosed spaces.”
MASK CONFUSION
Mr Zahawi added he’s “confident” the country will move to the next stage of lifting coronavirus restrictions next week.
But national statistician Prof Sir Ian Diamond, who sits on SAGE, said surveys showed most people would keep wearing masks in some settings.
He told Sky: “We are seeing from our data…that the great majority of people are saying they would continue to wear masks in crowded places.”
Last week, a source told The Telegraph: “We will still be encouraging people
that it is probably sensible to wear a mask in a busy enclosed space.
“Although it is not legally required, it doesn’t mean people should not strongly consider doing it.
“You don’t have to wear them but if shops, pubs or restaurants demand that
you do, we will advise people to be mindful of that and stick to it because it
is their premises.”
Meanwhile, masks will continue as a legal requirements in some settings in Wales while Covid remains a threat.
Face coverings will be compulsory on public transport and in care homes and hospitals.
The Prime Minister has torn up laws which force people to cover their faces on buses and trains, and in shops and other indoor venues.
Mr Johnson wants to make it a personal choice rather than a legal requirement enforced with fines of up to £6,400.
But despite the rules being lifted businesses are expected to comply with guidance on Brits being advised to wear masks in certain settings.
A Government source told Mail on Sunday: “It is still full steam ahead, but we are trusting people to behave cautiously.”
It comes as cases continue to surge as the Delta variant of the virus accounting for 99 per cent of infections.
Cases rose by 32,367 yesterday, bringing the total number of infections since the pandemic began to 5,089,893.
And 34 more deaths were reported today, making the total 128,339.
There has been a 30 per cent rise in cases – and a 62 per cent rise in deaths – in the last seven days.
