‘People are expected to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces,’ vaccine minister says

The UK government is confident that plans to lift a range of Covid-19 restrictions will go ahead on July 19 in England but mask-wearing in indoor enclosed places will be expected, Vaccine Minister Nadhim Zahawi said on Sunday.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson detailed proposals earlier this week to eliminate a series of rules on mask-wearing, social contact and the instruction to work from home. He is expected to give the final go-ahead later today (12 July)

Some scientists and critics of the government have expressed concern that it pressing ahead to lift restrictions even as coronavirus infections are rising. The government has argued that the high rate of vaccinations in Britain means the link between infections and serious illness or death has largely been broken.

“I am confident that we can proceed to step four,” Zahawi told Sky News.

“It’s important that we remain cautious and careful and the guidelines that we’ll set out tomorrow will demonstrate that, including guidelines that people are expected to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces.”

Johnson will urge caution as he confirms plans to remove nearly all remaining Covid-19 restrictions in England from July 19, despite a surge in cases to the highest levels in months.

“The global pandemic is not over yet,” he said in a statement released late on Sunday.

“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.”

Britain has implemented one of the world’s fastest vaccination programmes, with more than 87 per cent of adults having received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and 66 per cent having received two.

The government argues that the fact that deaths and hospital admissions remain far lower than before, even though cases have surged, is proof that the vaccines are saving lives and it is safer to open up.

Nevertheless, recent weeks have seen a striking surge in infections, to rates unseen since the winter, with some epidemiologists voicing concern that the Euro 2020 soccer championships might have helped to fuel the rise.

Britain, which ranks 20th in the world for per-capita reported deaths from Coid-19, on Sunday reported a further 31,772 COVID-19 cases and 26 additional deaths within 28 days of a positive test, up 31 per cent and 44 per cent respectively in the space of a week.

Johnson’s office says the green light to lift restrictions depended on meeting four tests: enough people being vaccinated, vaccines reducing hospitalisations and deaths, hospitals being free from pressure and variants not posing too great a risk.