Freedom Day WILL go ahead on Monday... but with caveats

Freedom Day WILL go ahead on Monday... but with caveats
Freedom Day WILL go ahead on Monday... but with caveats

Sajid Javid today confirmed that the government is pulling the trigger on 'Freedom Day' by axing almost all legal restrictions from next Monday - despite pleading for people need to keep wearing masks and not rush back to offices.

The Health Secretary said there would 'never be a perfect time' to lift the draconian curbs and start getting back to 'normal' life - but insisted people must show 'caution' and 'personal responsibility'. 

Government guidance will say people are 'expected and recommended' to keep wearing masks in crowded places, while any return to offices this summer should only be 'gradual'.

Ministers are also 'encouraging' the continued use of Covid certification at major events, saying the 'need for caution and restraint is more important than ever'. 

Meanwhile, questions have been raised about whether the rules will in reality be tougher - as the government admits train companies might well make face coverings a 'condition of carriage' for travel. 

Boris Johnson will use a Downing Street press conference this evening to flesh out the unlocking, which was delayed from the original date of June 21 due to the emergence of the Delta variant.

Mr Javid said going ahead with stage four of the roadmap was a 'step closer to the life we used to live', adding that 'we all want this to be a one-way journey'.

He said going ahead with stage four of the roadmap was a 'step closer to the life we used to live', adding that 'we all want this to be a one-way journey'.

'The case numbers will get a lot worse before they get better,' he said. 'But we do not believe that infection rates will put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.' 

He added: 'This is the right time to get our nation closer to normal life... If not now, when? There will never be a perfect time to take this step.' 

The go-ahead for the bonfire of legal curbs - albeit caveated - came despite Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham renewed his assault over dropping the legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport.

Nicola Sturgeon has also criticised the PM for pushing ahead too fast, insisting masks will still be mandatory in some settings in Scotland after July 19. 

In a statement ahead of his press briefing at 5pm, the PM said that cases will inevitably continue to rise as restrictions are eased.

'Caution is absolutely vital, and we must all take responsibility so we don't undo our progress, ensuring we continue to protect our NHS,' he said. 

Boris Johnson (pictured running this morning) will give the final go-ahead for 'Freedom Day' on July 19 later - but send a stark message that people need to keep being careful amid spiking cases

Sajid Javid

Health Secretary Sajid Javid (right) laid out the details of Freedom Day in a statement to MPs this afternoon. Boris Johnson (pictured left running this morning) will flesh out the plans at a press briefing later - but send a stark message that people need to keep being careful amid spiking cases

Health minister Edward Argar pointed to the 'defensive wall' being provided by vaccines. 'If not now, when?' he said of lifting the legal restrictions

Health minister Edward Argar pointed to the 'defensive wall' being provided by vaccines. 'If not now, when?' he said of lifting the legal restrictions

Britain has recorded 31,772 new cases of coronavirus and 26 new deaths in the latest government figures

Britain has recorded 31,772 new cases of coronavirus and 26 new deaths in the latest government figures

What will 'normal' look like from July 19? 

FACE MASKS

Legal rules mandating the wearing of face masks will be axed.

However, despite ministers previously saying they want to ditch coverings as soon as they are voluntary, guidance will state that they are 'expected and recommended' in crowded spaces.

Transport services such as the London Underground may decide to make wearing masks a condition of travel.

Private companies will be allowed to make them a requirement for entry, as Ryanair has already announced on its flights.

GOING TO PUBS

It will no longer be a legal requirement to scan a QR code on entry to a venue as part of the test and trace system. However, venues will be allowed to make use of the codes a requirement for entry if they choose.

It will also no longer be a legal requirement for pubs to require customers to order drinks at their tables. However, some pub chains may continue this – meaning that people will still not be able to go to the bar if an individual pub bans it.

ONE-METRE RULE

The one-metre rule will be scrapped in law – meaning fewer Perspex screens in offices.

It also means hospitality businesses like pubs and restaurants won't have to limit customers to ensure they are spaced apart. However, the one-metre rule will continue to be enforced at borders, such as in airports, amid concern over people coming into the country with variants.

SELF-ISOLATION RULES

There had been hopes that the requirement for the double-jabbed to self-isolate for up to 10 days when they are 'pinged' for coming in contact with a positive case would be dropped from July 19.

However, that date was pushed back to August 16 by Health Secretary Sajid Javid amid concerns about fueling rising infection numbers.

The rules on self-isolation for those who have not had two doses are staying in place for the time being.

However, officials are working on ways of making the NHS app less sensitive to avoid millions of people being doomed to house arrest.

And ministers have said work is ongoing on a system of daily testing that could potentially replace the self-isolation regime.   

WORKING FROM HOME

The Government's 'work from home' message will end and employers will be able to start to plan a return to the workplace.

But it will still be up to individual employers. Some may decide to continue with working from home for the foreseeable future.

Government advice will also be that any return to offices should be 'gradual' over the summer while cases are high.  

Although guidance to employers will be slimmed down, it will still encourage them to ensure rooms are properly ventilated to minimise risk.

CAP ON CARE HOME VISITS

The current restriction that people can only be seen by five named visitors will be scrapped.

But strict infection-control measures – such as the wearing of PPE and regular cleaning – will continue, with more detail to be announced later.

JAB PASSPORTS

Covid status certification – so-called vaccine passports – will not be legally required within England.

It is being left up to individual venues to decide themselves whether to demand Covid status certification through the NHS App as a condition of entry.

The government is 'encouraging' the use of Covid certification for large events. 

RULE OF SIX

There will be no legal limits on social contact, meaning groups will not have to limit themselves to six people or two households if they are mixing indoors. 

Groups outdoors can be as large as people want them to be.

WEDDING AND FUNERAL CAP

The limits on attendance at weddings, funerals and other major life events are being scrapped.

ART AND SPORT VENUE LIMITS

There will be no more restrictions on the size of an audience at a concert or a show, or a crowd at a sports fixture, which means theatres and stadiums can run at full capacity.

NIGHTCLUBS

All other legal requirements for venues to close will be lifted, allowing night-time industries – including nightclubs – to reopen for the first time since the pandemic began.

SINGING CURBS

No restrictions on singing, or even guidance to restrict it. It means singing by church choirs can continue – as can karaoke nights.

TRAVEL 

A new system to allow double-jabbed people to avoid quarantine after returning from amber-list countries comes into force from July 19.  

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The latest twists and turns in the Covid crisis came as:  

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