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