Face masks on public transport and the ability to work from home may return next winter, Sir Patrick Vallance has suggested.
The Government's chief scientific adviser said it was possible some measures could be brought back later in the year even if they were relaxed over the summer from June 21.
He said if Covid rates go up in the winter, it might be necessary for people to wear face masks on public transport and the ability to work from home if appropriate could also stay.
Sir Patrick told a press briefing on Monday: "It may be as winter comes, and if rates went up again, things like face coverings on transport might be necessary."
He said that measures "like ventilation, the ability to still stay working from home if it's appropriate to do so" could continue in the longer term, the Telegraph reports.
Sir Patrick also stressed people should still continue to isolate if they test positive for coronavirus or display symptoms.
During the press conference, the chief scientific adviser cited better ventilation and a greater proportion of people working from home where possible, as ways in which there will be a "residual reduction in transmission".
"There will still be behaviours that we will all demonstrate which means that contacts probably won't be back to pre-pandemic levels," Sir Patrick said.
But the Prime Minister said the nation remains "on track" for the final step towards lifting all legal restrictions as planned on June 21.
He indicated that cities and towns will thrive again with social interaction.
On Friday, Boris Johnson told The Telegraph he hoped workers would be allowed to go back into the office if required by June 21, but on Monday said that final decisions had not yet been made.
He said more detail and guidance would be revealed later this month describing what exactly is meant by the end of social distancing.
But the PM said people will have to exercise their own judgement and discretion for a long time.
