Boris Johnson has given the clearest indication yet that Covid laws will be scrapped in England in just two weeks’ time despite the increasing case numbers across the UK.
The Tory Prime Minister said that a final decision would be taken soon but it now looks certain that social distancing rules will end on July 19.
That will come as a relief to many – and raise hopes that Scotland will follow suit – but there are serious concerns about other aspects about Johnson’s plan.
It will no longer be a legal requirement to wear face masks in public in England from July 19, although it is likely that there will be official guidance suggesting people still wear them in certain circumstances, such as travelling on public transport at busy times.
But the decision to remove the legal enforcement means that many people will undoubtedly ditch them.
That seems unnecessarily risky at a time when case numbers are still rising and many adults still haven’t been double vaccinated.
Masks are extremely effective at preventing you passing on Covid to others.
And wearing a mask on public transport or in a supermarket should be common courtesy for as long as people remain unvaccinated.
This smacks of being yet another reckless move by a Prime Minister who has made too many mistakes already during this pandemic.
If this goes wrong, Johnson will definitely have to wear a mask as a disguise.
Hail our heroes
The last 12 months have been like no other for every single Scot.
The demands of the pandemic have asked questions of all of us and some have truly risen to the challenge.
Tomorrow night the Daily Record’s Pride of Scotland Awards celebrate those extraordinary people who have shone brightest in the dark.
These unsung heroes have kept us all going with selfless acts of kindness and bravery to make a difference in communities across the nation.
How could we have come through the terrible months of Covid without those who have often put others before themselves?
The NHS workers, volunteers, supermarket staff and many more on the frontline were there when we needed them most.
No words can do justice to their dedication and their commitment to making life better for their fellow Scots.
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