Boris Johnson confirmed the majority of restrictions will be lifted from July 19 including the use of face coverings.
The Prime Minister announced face coverings will no longer be mandatory for entering shops, bars, pubs or restaurants.
He said: “Guidance will suggest where you might choose to do so - especially when cases are rising and where you come into contact with people you don't usually meet in enclosed spaces, such as obviously crowded public transport.
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"We want people to exercise their personal responsibility but remember the value of face coverings both in protecting themselves and others."
Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England said he would have no hesitation in wearing a mask in t hree different situations:
- Any situation indoors and crowded or indoors and with close proximity with other people
- If required by any “competent authority”
- If "someone else was uncomfortable if I did not wear a mask, as a point of common courtesy"
Sir Patrick Vallance, chief scientific advisor, also said: "Masks are most effective at preventing somebody else catching the disease from you.
"The situation you're most likely to catch COVID in is indoors, crowded spaces. So that's the obvious place where mask-wearing becomes an advantage."
To a lot of people not having to wear a mask especially as we approach the heat of summer will come as a relief but not everyone is happy to see them go, especially those who work in the public transport sector.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, 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."
Metro Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram also agreed, saying people should deal with the “minor inconvenience” of wearing a mask.
He said: "I understand people not wanting to wear masks but it's a minor inconvenience that we know helps to slow the spread of the coronavirus and gives people a level of reassurance, especially the vulnerable.
"You wouldn't want your surgeon to take their mask off would you?"
Mr Rotheram also highlighted a YouGov poll that showed 71% of voters wanted face masks to remain mandatory on public transport.
Some airlines including Ryanair will continue to make face coverings a requirement regardless of where you’re flying to.
How the Government will continue to manage the risk of serious illness from the spread of the virus:
1. Reinforce the country’s vaccine wall of defence through booster jabs and driving take-up.
2. Enable the public to make informed decisions through guidance, rather than laws.
3. Retain proportionate test, trace and isolate plans in line with international comparators.
4. Manage risks at the border and support a global response to reduce the risk of variants emerging globally and entering the UK.
5. Retain contingency measures to respond to unexpected events, while accepting that further cases, hospitalisations and deaths will occur as the country learns to live with COVID-19.
