Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and Health Secretary, Sajid Javid, have announced that they will go ahead with the planned end of restrictions on July 19.
From July 19, ministers will recommend that people continue to wear face coverings in crowded areas, despite the legal requirement to wear face masks in shops and on public transport being lifted. The legal requirement to socially distance is also no longer in place inmost settings.
When addressing the Commons, Javid said unlocking the country now was the “most responsible decision we can take,” and then added that reaching the next stage of the roadmap “gives us the best possible chance of a return to normal life.”
However, Boris Johnson later said in a press conference that coronavirus “continues to carry risks for you and your family”.
We cannot simply revert instantly from Monday July 19 to life as it was before Covid, he warned.
Other changes to restrictions from July 19 include:
- No limits on how many people you can meet or where you can meet them.
- No limits on the number of guests at weddings, funerals, or other life events.
- No limits on the number of people who can attend sporting events, arts venues, or hospitality settings.
While these restrictions have been lifted, there is still some government guidance in place. Step four will see businesses and large event organisers being encouraged to use “COVID passports” (proof of double-vaccination, negative test, or recovery from coronavirus) in high-risk settings to reduce the spread in venues.
The government is also no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, although they are urging a gradual approach to employees returning to the workplace.
Related Articles
