Prime Minister Boris Johnson is all set to announce the easing of the lockdown restrictions on Monday. The people are waiting and highly anticipating this announcement for what is to come.
No More Masks in England?
New guidelines on the 1-meter social distancing rule, face coverings, care home visits, and working from home will be announced, the government said Sunday. One government minister told the BBC this weekend that some rules, such as mask-wearing, would become a matter of personal choice when restrictions were eased.
Johnson is expected to reiterate that Covid will become “a virus that we learn to live with as we already do with flu,” Downing Street said in a statement released Sunday night.
“Freedom Day” — or “Step 4″ in the government’s long-term plan to ease restrictions — will take place on July 19 if the government’s “four tests” for easing Covid restrictions are met, Johnson will also note.
The lockdown was supposed to end a few weeks ago but it was delayed by the government for some time to let more people get vaccinated and to ease out the potential danger from the delta variant. Even though it’s not completely safe, a little ease can be provided.
In comments released Sunday, Johnson acknowledged that “the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks.”
“We must all continue to carefully manage the risks from Covid and exercise judgment when going about our lives,” he said, adding that “thanks to the successful rollout of our vaccination program, we are progressing cautiously through our roadmap (to lifting lockdown). Today we will set out how we can restore people’s freedoms.”
Final Words
After January 27th, masks will no longer be required in England, and it will be up to individuals to decide whether or not to conceal their faces.
In England, “you will not be required to wear a face covering, including in communal areas of schools,” but “the government suggests you continue to wear one in crowded and indoor spaces where you may come in contact with people you do not normally meet.” The NHS Covid Pass will also no longer be required by law to enter venues and events.
