There will be ‘no legal compulsion’ to wear a face mask after July 19th, minister claims

After restrictions ease on the revised ‘freedom day’ on July 19th, there will be no legal compulsion to continue wearing face masks in public spaces, a minister has claimed today.

The wearing of face coverings in a range of public settings, including in shops and on public transport, has been required since the start of the Covid pandemic last year.

But now, the end could very well be in sight – despite a number of delays over the last few months.

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Environment secretary George Eustice said the government wants ‘all of the legal requirements to do things to be taken away completely’ at step four of its roadmap for lifting Covid measures on July 19th.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: “Whether there will still be some people who might choose to wear masks or whether it may be advisory in some settings, that’s a separate matter.

“But the objective of that final stage is to remove the legal requirement to do these things.”

Eustice was then asked if he would continue wearing a face covering after the 19th, to which he replied: “I wouldn’t, no. I have to be honest, once I’m told it’s safe not to, I want to get back to normal.

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“I think a lot of people will want to shed those masks.

“But while it’s contributing to controlling the pandemic, yes I will wear my mask like everybody else and do my bit.”

However, different government officials have been claiming that, after the 19th, some social distancing and Covid restrictions will remain in place.

An official confirmation of what regulations will be lifted or maintained following the revised ‘freedom day’ is yet to be announced.