Boris Johnson will today warn that people should ‘expect’ to keep wearing masks in enclosed spaces such as supermarkets and trains even after Covid restrictions are lifted on July 19.
The Prime Minister will use a Downing Street press conference this afternoon to confirm plans to end most Covid laws next Monday, despite surging cases.
But last night he said that the plan to restore our freedoms ‘must come with a warning’.
The PM said that cases will inevitably continue to rise as restrictions are eased, adding: ‘Caution is absolutely vital, and we must all take responsibility so we don’t undo our progress, ensuring we continue to protect our NHS.’
It comes as Susan Hopkins, of Public Health England, insisted people should continue to work from home and try to social distance after July 19.
The ‘Freedom Day’ was meant to herald a return to normality but the PM will also publish new ‘guidance’ setting out precautions people should continue to take.
Mr Johnson will say England is ‘tantalisingly close to the final milestone in our road map out of lockdown, but the plan to restore our freedoms must come with a warning.’
He will insist that vaccinations have ‘weakened’ the link between Covid infections and hospital admissions, while warning ‘the global pandemic is not over yet.’
However, the PM has dropped claims that the end of Covid restrictions is ‘irreversible’ following warnings from top scientists that easing restrictions could end in disaster.
