Boris pushes the button on 'big bang' Freedom Day unlocking with laws on social distancing and masks AXED from July 19, NO limits on gatherings and WFH orders ending - but PM puts off key decisions on self-isolation, school bubbles and travel quarantine

  • Boris Johnson is pushing the button on Freedom Day in England saying country must learn to live with Covid 
  • The PM confirming plan for a bonfire of virus rules on July 19 subject to a final approval a week beforehand 
  • One-metre plus edict and the work from home order will be dropped, with mask wearing no longer mandatory
  • Pubs and other venues will not have to collect customer details and will again be able to serve drinks at bar 
  • Decisions on school bubbles and quarantine rules for double-jabbed to 'amber list' countries due later in week
  • But the self-isolation requirement for fully vaccinated who get pinged seems unlikely to lift from July 19  Boris Johnson pushed the button on a 'big bang' Freedom Day unlocking tonight with social distancing rules, mask laws and the work from home order set to go.

    In a bold shift despite daily Covid cases rising a fifth in a week to 27,000, the PM told a Downing Street briefing that they could hit 50,000. 

    But he insisted even though the pandemic 'certainly won't be over' by July 19 and people should not be 'demob happy' the government will no longer issue 'top down' orders.

    Mr Johnson insisted he had to 'balance the risks... the risks of the disease, and the risks of continuing with restrictions'.

    'If we don't go ahead now when we we've clearly done so much with the vaccination programme to break the link between infection and death.

    'If we don't go ahead now when the summer firebreak is coming up, the school holidays, all the advantages that that should give us in fighting the virus, then the question is, ''when would we go ahead?''. 

    'Particularly given the likelihood the virus will have an extra advantage in the colder months, in the autumn, and in the winter.

  • What should happen from July 19 'Freedom Day'? 

    No legal limits on social contact, all remaining businesses to open, one metre plus rule dropped. 

    Masks will no longer be legally required, but guidance will recommend them in some circumstances.

    Advice to work from home where possible will be dropped, with individual firms able to decide the pace and level of return to offices. 

    No legal requirement for use of 'Covid certificates' at bars and restaurants etc.

    The PM intends to remove self-isolation rules for double jabbed, but it remains a legal requirement for now and more details in due course

    Grant Shapps is working with the travel industry on 'amber list' quarantine rules for the double jabbed, with an update expected later this week.

    An update on plans to axe school 'bubbles' for isolation is also due later this week.'So we run the risk of either opening up at a very difficult time when the virus has an edge, has an advantage in the colder months, or again putting everything off to next year so I do think it's going to be a very balanced decision next week.'

    The one-metre plus decree and advice to work from home where possible will be dropped, with mask wearing no longer mandatory - while pubs and other venues will not have to collect customer details and will again be able to serve drinks at the bar. 

    Mr Johnson also said limits on gatherings are going and torpedoed the idea of legally requiring 'Covid certificates' at bars and restaurants, with the vaccination drive instead being trusted to do the heavy lifting of protecting the public.  

    However, although the premier said he intends to replace self-isolation with testing for anyone who is double jabbed and comes into contact with a positive case, he did not say when that would happen and it is understood it will probably be after July 19. Children would also be covered by the arrangements. 

    Mr Johnson also said an announcement will be made later in the week on dropping the 'bubble' rules that have been causing chaos in schools. The signs are that the change will only take effect at the start of next term in September. 

    And he stopped short of confirming that quarantine requirements for 'amber list' countries will be waived for double-jabbed Brits from July 19. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is expected to make an announcement later in the week. 

    The plan for the final stage of the roadmap will be subject to a final approval next Monday, although it appears it would take something extraordinary to change the PM's mind at this stage. The UK today recorded another 27,334 cases - up nearly a fifth on the same day last week - but deaths remained in single figures at nine.

    Meanwhile, doubts have been raised over whether mask-wearing will be completely scrapped this month, even though the law will fall away. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has refused to say whether he will keep the rules on the Tube, while Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has demanded a rethink to protect the vulnerable. Unions warned it would be 'gross negligence' to drop the requirement.

    Government sources suggested that in theory train companies and businesses could keep demanding face coverings are worn, even if the law is changed. Nicola Sturgeon has also suggested that the rules could continue for longer in Scotland. 

    Asked whether he would keep wearing masks, Mr Johnson said it would 'depend on the circumstances' - pointing out that a crowded Tube train is very different from a deserted late-night service. 

    Prof Chris Whitty - flanking the PM as usual at the briefing - said he would don a covering if other people were 'uncomfortable'.  

    As the coronavirus crisis reaches its latest crucial phase: 

    • The gap between vaccine doses is being reduced from 12 to 8 weeks for under 40s, with the aim that every adult is double jabbed by mid-September; 
    • The Duchess of Cambridge has been forced into self-isolation after coming close to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus - despite having no symptoms herself, both her vaccinations and testing negative four times in the past week; 
    • The government is facing a backlash from both sides of the masks debate amid fears the public will be bewildered if they are made voluntary but still recommended; 
    • A YouGov poll has found 71 per cent of Britons still want face masks to be mandatory on public transport, while 21 per cent back dropping the rule; 
    • Taxpayers could be left to foot the hotel quarantine bill for thousands of people arriving in the UK from red list countries who cannot afford the £1,750 cost; 
    • The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the NHS for seven decades of public service and the battle against the virus.

      In a bold shift despite daily Covid cases rising a fifth in a week to 27,000, Boris Johnson told a Downing Street briefing that the government will no longer issue 'top down' orders after July 19 and people must use their common sense to manage the risks

      Boris Johnson pushed the button on a 'big bang' Freedom Day unlocking tonight with social distancing rules, mask laws and the work from home order set to go

      Boris Johnson pushed the button on a 'big bang' Freedom Day unlocking tonight with social distancing rules, mask laws and the work from home order set to go

      Sajid Javid
      Boris Johnson

      Boris Johnson (right) attended a service to mark the 73rd anniversary of the NHS earlier today. New health secretary Sajid Javid (left) announced the unlocking plan at the same time as the PM's press conference 

      After 'Freedom Day' on July 19 the wearing of face masks is set to become a personal choice in England

      After 'Freedom Day' on July 19 the wearing of face masks is set to become a personal choice in EnglandPutting his faith in the vaccines, Mr Johnson said: 'We're seeing rising hospital admissions and we must reconcile ourselves sadly to more deaths from Covid.

      'In these circumstances we must take a careful and a balanced decision. 

      'And there's only one reason why we can contemplate going ahead to step four in circumstances where we'd normally be locking down further, and that's because of the continuing effectiveness of the vaccine rollout.'

      He said the expectation remains that by July 19 every adult in the UK will have had the offer of a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine and two-thirds will have had a second dose.

      And he highlighted that lockdowns 'inevitably take their toll on people's lives and livelihoods, on people's health and mental health'.

      'We must be honest with ourselves that if we can't reopen our society in the next few weeks, when we will be helped by the arrival of summer, and by the school holidays, then we must ask ourselves 'when will we be able to return to normal?' he said.

      'And to those who say we should delay again – the alternative to that is to open up in winter when the virus will have an advantage, or not at all this year.'

      Speaking at Downing Street, science chief Sir Patrick Vallance warned that 'deaths are increasing' and 'we would expect that to continue' as Covid cases rise, as he said people must 'behave accordingly in terms of trying to limit transmission'.

      Sir Patrick said infections are 'going up' and 'the link between cases and hospitalisations and cases and deaths is weakened but not completely broken, and we would expect to see some further increase'.

      He said 'we are in the face of an increasing epidemic at the moment and therefore we need to behave accordingly in terms of trying to limit transmission'.

      Professor Whitty also warned that the winter 'may be very difficult' for the NHS.

      'The winter is inevitably going to be tricky and this winter the NHS is likely to have both Covid and some resurgence of other respiratory viruses that were suppressed by the degree of lockdown last time round,' he said.

      'So I think we should be realistic and this coming winter may be very difficult for the NHS.'

      Government sources admit there is a 'degree of risk' in going ahead with the unlocking while cases are increasing.

      However, Prof Whitty and Sir Patrick are understood to be among those arguing that 'if not now then when'. 

      There are concerns that loosening restrictions in the autumn and winter when respiratory diseases are typically more prevalent could be more risky. 

      Pressure was ramped up on Mr Johnson to act on self-isolation rules today as it emerged the Duchess of Cambridge has been ordered to stay at home for 10 days after coming into contact with someone who tested positive.

      The royal has received two vaccine doses, has no symptoms and repeatedly tested negative for coronavirus.   

      However, it is understood ministers are yet to take final decisions on whether self-isolation can be dropped for those who are fully vaccinated. 

      The government is weighing up whether there is a benefit to holding off while cases are running high, and there could be logistical challenges about providing testing. 

      Even if it goes ahead, a testing regime to replace self-isolation for the double-vaccinated is very unlikely to be ready for July 19. 

      Tory MPs voiced alarm that the public faces a confusing situation and urged the premier to be 'crystal clear' about what is allowed.

      Former minister Steve Baker told MailOnline: 'Of course the government should be crystal clear what people are and are not required to do with facemasks.

      'If it is a matter of personal choice the government will need to clearly and without spin put the facts before the public about the implications and consequences of wearing and not wearing a mask.'  

      Mr Johnson said it would 'depend on the circumstances' when asked if he would continue to wear a face mask.

      He said: 'I think that what we're trying to do is move from universal Government diktat to relying on people's personal responsibility and clearly there's a big difference between travelling on a crowded tube train and sitting late at night in a virtually empty carriage on the main railway line.

      'So what we want to do is for people to exercise their personal responsibility but to remember the value of face coverings both in protecting themselves, and others.'

      Prof Whitty said he would continue to wear a face covering when in a crowded situation indoors, when required to by an authority and if someone else was uncomfortable with him not wearing a mask.

      He said: 'I would wear a mask under three situations, and I would do so, particularly at this point when the epidemic is clearly significant and rising.

      'And the first is in any situation which was indoors and crowded, or indoors with close proximity to other people and that is because masks help protect other people – this is a thing we do to protect other people, this is by far its principal aim.

      'The second situation I'd do it is if I was required to by any competent authority. I would have no hesitation about doing that and I would consider that was a reasonable and sensible thing if they had good reason to do that.

      'And the third reason is if someone else was uncomfortable if I did not wear a mask, as a point of common courtesy of course I would wear a mask so under all those circumstances I would do so.'

      Sir Patrick said he would be 'exactly the same' in terms of mask-wearing.

      He said the 'obvious place where mask-wearing becomes an advantage' is in indoor crowded spaces, the situation in which he said someone is most likely to catch the virus.

      Before Mr Johnson's appearance the Cabinet's Covid committee met to finalise the plans for the final step of the roadmap out of lockdown to give businesses and the public time to prepare.

      Amid signs of local divisions on the shape of the rules, Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said: 'I struggle to see how Ministers can drop the requirement to wear masks on public transport without causing real problems for some people who are dependent on it. 

      'Those more vulnerable to infection or anxious about it will be put in a very unfair position. 

      'Rethink needed?' 

      City Hall sources said Transport for London could in theory set conditions of carriage relating to face coverings, but they suggested this would be 'very difficult'.

      A spokesman for Mr Khan said: 'Evidence shows that the wearing of facemasks gives many Londoners the confidence that they can travel safely on public transport.

      'People feeling confident they can travel on our Tubes, buses and trains as they get busier will be a vital part of encouraging more people into central London as restrictions are lifted further, and it is something that we will continue to look at closely.'

      London Mayor Sadiq Khan has refused to say whether he will keep the rules on the Tube, while Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has demanded a rethink to protect the vulnerable (pictured)

      London Mayor Sadiq Khan has refused to say whether he will keep the rules on the Tube, while Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has demanded a rethink to protect the vulnerable (pictured)

      Sadiq Khan has suggested that face masks could still be required on the Tube even if the national rules change

      Sadiq Khan has suggested that face masks could still be required on the Tube even if the national rules change

      The Scottish government has said there will be an 'ongoing need' for face coverings when all restrictions are lifted north of the border on August 9. 

      It said that while measures were 'under review' people could still be expected to wear masks on public transport and in shops. 

      Pressed on the mask issue on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Ms Whately said: 'I don't know that I will be ditching it entirely. 

      'I anticipate that there may be times when it is appropriate to wear it if I am somewhere that is crowded... I don't expect to be wearing it so much.'

      Asked what she would do on a commuter train from Kent to London, she said: 'If there is a sort of environment where it is crowded I think I might.'  

      Ms Whately also said the requirement of face masks in health and care settings will continue following the final stage of the road map out of lockdown.

      'I'll be looking at the guidance, I'll be making a judgment, but I'm not keen to wear one when I don't need one – personally, it's not something I enjoy doing,' she told Times Radio Breakfast.

      'But I'm also really aware that there will be circumstances, I'm expecting to continue in health and social care clearly, where people will need to continue to wear PPE, which includes masks.'

      Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, said people should continue to be sensible even if formal restrictions are lifted.

      Asked if he would still voluntarily wear a mask, he told BBC Breakfast: 'I'll be following the guidance as I have throughout.

      'There may be occasions in the next few months in a crowded environment where I might choose to wear a mask and I'm sure others will make similar choices.

      'I think people have gotten very aware of infection control and good hygiene over the last 16 months.

      'Some of the habits we've developed – washing hands more frequently, not going to work or not going to see people if you are feeling unwell – those are habits that it would be really great to continue because it will keep Covid under control, but also other infections as well.'

      He added: 'Many people will use common sense and if they want to be cautious, particularly over the next few weeks as infection rates are still high, then wearing a mask would be very appropriate.'

      Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the government's Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours (Spi-B) said he was anxious about mixed messaging on masks.

      'I think we need very clear messaging and I think in certain spaces – crowded, badly ventilated spaces – masks are crucial mitigation,' he said.

      'Not lockdown, but support and proportionate mitigations to keep us safe. Along with the vaccine, that's the way out.'

      Unite national officer for passenger transport Bobby Morton said: 'To end the requirement to wear masks on public transport would be an act of gross negligence by the government. 

      'Rates of infection are continuing to increase and not only does mask wearing reduce transmissions it helps provide reassurance to drivers and to passengers who are nervous about using public transport. 

      'The idea of personal responsibility and hoping that people will wear masks is absolutely ridiculous, members are already reporting there is an increase in passengers ignoring the rules on mask wearing. 

      'Until rates of Covid-19 are fully under control, throughout the whole of the UK, the rules on mask wearing on public transport should remain in place.' 

      At the same time as the PM addresses the nation, Mr Javid took responsibility for announcing the Government's plans to Parliament. 

      It followed stern rebukes from Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle in recent weeks for ministers deciding to make statements to the press before MPs. 

      Conservative MPs shouted 'hallelujah' as he laid out the measures which would be lifted in Step 4.

      The Health Secretary told MPs it would be the 'biggest step of all, a restoration of so many of the freedoms that make this country great'. 

      Mr Javid said it would be 'sensible' to wear a mask on crowded public transport.

      Responding to questions from Labour, Mr Javid said people would be expected to 'behave sensibly and think about others' around them.

      He told the Commons: 'For example, if you're on public transport, let's say a very crowded Tube, I think it would be sensible to wear a mask – not least for respect for others.

      'But if you're the only person in a carriage late at night on the East Coast Mainline then you can choose much more easily not to wear a mask because there's hardly anyone else around.' 

      Labour said the Government must declare how many Covid-related deaths it is willing to accept in the face of rising cases of the Indian strain - also know as the Delta variant - if restrictions are abolished.

      Step four of the roadmap had been due to happen on June 21, but was delayed by four weeks so more people could be vaccinated. Almost two thirds of adults have now received both doses. 

      Pubs and other venues will not have to collect customer details

      Pubs and other venues will not have to collect customer details and will again be able to serve drinks at the bar

      Children have missed almost a billion days of school since the start of the pandemic, analysis by the Centre for Social Justice think-tank found. (Stock image)

      Children have missed almost a billion days of school since the start of the pandemic, analysis by the Centre for Social Justice think-tank found. (Stock image)A SAGE psychologist lashed out at Mr Javid's 'frightening' plan to scrap lockdown by July 19 despite more than half of adults in England having received both vaccines - after the new Health Secretary urged people to live with coronavirus 'as we already do with flu'. 

      Professor Stephen Reicher, a member of the subcommittee advising on behaviour, wrote on Twitter yesterday: 'It is frightening to have a 'Health' Secretary who still thinks Covid is flu, who is unconcerned at levels of infection, who doesn't realise that those who do best for health also do best for the economy, who wants to ditch all protections while only half of us are vaccinated.

      'Above all, it is frightening to have a 'Health' Secretary who wants to make all protections a matter of personal choice when the key message of the pandemic is 'this isn't an 'I' thing, it's a 'we' thing. Your behaviour affects my health. Get your head around the 'we' concept''.

      A spokesman for the Department of Health said: 'The Health Secretary did not say Covid was like flu. He said we need to learn to live with it and find ways to cope with it - in the same way as we do with flu.' 

      The broadside from the University of St Andrews academic comes after Mr Javid, who replaced disgraced Matt Hancock last weekend after the former Health Secretary was caught flouting lockdown with his mistress, called the health reasons for lifting restrictions 'compelling'.Setting out his priorities in a column for the Mail on Sunday, Mr Javid writes: 'The first is how we restore our freedoms and learn to live with Covid-19. The second is to tackle the NHS backlog - something that we know is going to get far worse before it gets better'

      Setting out his priorities in a column for the Mail on Sunday, Mr Javid writes: 'The first is how we restore our freedoms and learn to live with Covid-19. The second is to tackle the NHS backlog - something that we know is going to get far worse before it gets better' 

      Vaccination Nurse Lorraine Mooney gives a vaccination to a member of the public outside a bus in the car park of Crieff Community Hospital

      Vaccination Nurse Lorraine Mooney gives a vaccination to a member of the public outside a bus in the car park of Crieff Community Hospital 

      Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the new Health Secretary says the UK is 'on track' to escape almost every vestige of lockdown on July 19, adding: 'We will have a country that is not just freer, but healthier, too.'

      But he makes no secret of the challenges he faces as Health Secretary, admitting that he has 'the biggest in-tray I've had at any department - and I've run five'.   

      The BMA fears ending lockdown will have a 'devastating' impact on on people's health, the NHS, the economy and education. It wants some restrictions, such as wearing face masks in enclosed spaces, to remain in place beyond July 19.

      Dr Chaand Nagpaul, BMA council chairman, said: 'We are not asking for a full delay on July 19, rather a series of sensible, targeted measures that will help prevent transmission of the virus while having a minimal impact on people's daily lives.'

      However, other experts said masks have only reduced infection risk a 'little' and it is 'probably the right time' to consider ditching them. 

      SAGE adviser Dr Mike Tildesley told BBC Breakfast: 'I think probably if we are going to remove them, July 19 when we are seeing really low numbers of hospital admissions and low number of deaths, is probably the right time to consider it.'

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