Minister: Covid announcement on 19 July freedom day will give ‘clarity’ on face masks
A health minister has said Boris Johnson’s announcement tonight on the 19 July shedding of restrictions will “give people more clarity” on the government’s stance on face masks after recent mixed messaging.
Health minister Edward Argar also said the government’s stance on face masks is not confusing and that people will be able to “form their own common sense judgments”.
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said yesterday that people would be “expected” to wear face masks indoors, after 19 July.
This is despite Johnson saying last week that they would become a personal choice, but the government would advise that it is a good idea to where them on public transport or inside shops.
Argar told the BBC that Johnson’s press conference this evening, and the guidance published alongside it, would make the government’s position clear.
“It’s about making a sensible and informed judgment base on the circumstances. The guidance will add more to that, to give people more clarity,” he said.
“I don’t think the British people will struggle to look at the guidance and form their own common sense judgments. I don’t think it will introduce confusion.”
Johnson announced last week that the next step on the roadmap out of lockdown will mean the end of the one-metre plus rule, mandatory face masks and limits on social gatherings.
Hospitality venues will be able to open in full and night clubs will be able to operate once again.
There have been some concerns that freedom day will come just as the Delta Covid variant surges across the UK.
There have been 213,528 Covid cases in the past seven days, indicating a 30 per cent weekly rise.
However, the government has said the UK’s vaccination rates – two-thirds of people are double-jabbed – will prevent these cases translating into a wave of Covid deaths.
In a statement last night, the Prime Minister said: “We are tantalisingly close to the final milestone in our roadmap out of lockdown, but the plan to restore our freedoms must come with a warning.
“While the phenomenal vaccine rollout has offered every adult some protection against the virus, and the crucial link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths is weakened, the global pandemic is not over yet.
“Cases will rise as we unlock, so as we confirm our plans today, our message will be clear. Caution is absolutely vital, and we must all take responsibility so we don’t undo our progress, ensuring we continue to protect our NHS.”