Rees-Mogg says he won't wear masks at Parliament amid anger that staff are ...

Jacob Rees-Mogg will not be wearing a face covering at Parliament when the requirement is lifted, the Conservative MP said, stating that people who have received both jabs of the vaccine have already done their 'societal bit.'

'This morning I wandered around the palace of Westminster wearing a mask, and met almost nobody. In those circumstances I will not be wearing a mask - what would be the point?' the leader of the House of Commons said on the Conservative Home podcast. 

'If you've had both vaccines, your risk of transmitting the disease is slight. So in a way you've done your societal bit by having the vaccine, as much as by wearing a mask, which is why I think it's sensibly individual choice.' 

A leaked letter sent by Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle states that MPs will only be encouraged - rather than required - to wear masks in in the Chamber from July 19.

Parliamentary staff are still 'required' to do so until summer recess begins.

In a section titled 'Outside the Chamber,' it states that MPs will be encouraged to wear face coverings just until July 22. 

'It will also mean that until the rise of the House the overall capacity of the estate will remain limited,' the letter reads. 

And while the memo states that staff members currently working remote 'will be encouraged to continue doing so until September,' MPs will be allowed to 'make their own assessment' on how many people return after the summer break. 

Currently there is a maximum of two staff members MPs are allowed to have in-person. 

The new guidance comes a day after Boris Johnson announced that people in England will no longer be legally required to wear a face covering on public transport or in shops, restaurants and other indoor spaces from July 19.

Social distancing measures and legal limits on gatherings will also be lifted. 

Labour MP Jon Trickett blasted the 'hypocrisy' handed down to MPs and their staff on Twitter. 

Naming Mr Johnson as having made the announcement, Mr Trickett said the new guidelines are 'Elitist, dangerous double standards from an Etonian who thinks he is a class above.'

However, directives for MPs and Whitehall employees actually come from the Commons Speaker and House authorities.  

'The inner socialist is coming out in the Labour Party... they believe in collective control,' Mr Rees-Mogg quipped when asked about critics of the rollback. 

The easing of England's restrictions has been criticised by a number of health experts, including the World Health Organization. 

But Mr Rees-Mogg believes 'millions of individual decisions' made by the public are a safer bet than government-mandated health guidance, despite objections from Labour Party members - and has not totally ruled out wearing a mask himself. 

'I may find there are circumstances where I feel it would be good manners to wear a mask,' the Conservative leader said. 'Am I going to wear one with any enthusiasm? No, I never have worn one with enthusiasm, but I see there are circumstances where it might be advisable.'

It comes as businesses are calling for urgent clarity over guidance on mask-wearing, social distancing, work from home and so-called vaccine passports before legal restrictions are axed on July 19, amid mounting fears of a 'free-for-all' when mandatory virus measures become advisory.

Trade experts have warned that guidance laid out by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Sajid Javid yesterday 'passes the buck' and imposes 'moral responsibility' onto businesses, particularly hospitality firms which are trying to recover from the cycle of lockdowns. 

Rail and bus companies said coverings will not be compulsory when restrictions are lifted, with a spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group announcing that railway travel is 'low risk, with the majority of carriages well ventilated by air conditioning systems or by doors and windows'.

But the Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents the bus and coach industry, has called for 'clear guidance for operators and customers', while Labour mayors Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham urged the Government to extend the mask mandate in England beyond July 19.

An online petition urging the Health Secretary to retain the mask mandate on public transport has already received more than 120,000 signatures from people who claim: 'Masks don't just protect the wearer, they protect the people nearby, so even if transport workers continue to wear masks and others don't it puts them at risk.' 

Business chiefs are now taking matters into their own hands, with Timpson chairman Sir John Timpson telling the BBC this morning that he will ask staff to wear masks to protect his customers but will not force customers to cover their faces because the mandate will have been scrapped. He also slammed the Government's self-isolation policy, revealing that 140 people are quarantining due to the NHS app. 

Center Parcs CEO Martin Dalby told Radio 4's Today programme that staff and guests will be encouraged to wear masks at his resorts because public health is 'absolutely our number one priority' - though he will not be 'policing' the advice, and no one will have to present so-called vaccine passports.  

Nightclub owner REKOM UK said it will also not be asking for Covid passports at its doors when it reopens venues on Monday, for the first time since lockdown was imposed in March last year.  

Its chief executive Peter Marks said nightclubs will operate in the same way as pubs - 'at full capacity and without any requirement for a negative Covid test, something we believe would create a barrier to both customer enjoyment and getting the industry back on its feet'.

However, ministers are threatening to force nightclub owners and other large venues to insist on 'Covid certification' of vaccination status as a condition of entry if steps to limit the spread of the virus are not taken by firms, according to Government guidance released last night. 

Mike Cherry, CEO of the Federation of Small Businesses, said 'safe operation will not be possible without clear workplace guidance', adding that 'there remain very strict rules in place around self-isolation and international travel which will have a severe impact on many businesses'. 

The Campaign for Pubs also warned that the Government's 'mixed messages' on masks and so-called vaccine passports 'creates yet more uncertainty for pubs, publicans and for pub customers'. Campaign director Greg Mulholland told MailOnline: 'It isn't fair to suggest that pubs and clubs should impose such measures on customers, when they don't think such measures need to be mandatory.

'If people, customers or staff, wish to wear a mask, they can and should do so, but it's wrong to pass the buck and put the moral responsibility onto businesses for things that the Government are now saying aren't essential. Individual pubs and publicans will make their own decisions, but the majority of pubs will not be imposing non-mandatory requirements onto pub goers, who are keen to get back to pubs finally operating as pubs.'  

Anxious people have revealed on Twitter that they are not likely to go to the pub on the so-called Freedom Day, whether they are nervous about catching the virus or irritated by being required to wear masks upon entry.  

However, legal experts told MailOnline that though the axing of mandates is a 'legal grey area' for companies, bosses would be 'well within their rights' to enforce mask and distancing policies of their own if they are satisfied that the measures prevent the spread of coronavirus. 

Meanwhile Downing Street todayhinted that it could impose another winter lockdown if the vaccines prove to be less effective at preventing serious illness and death than first thought. 

At a press conference last night, the Prime Minister dropped his claim the easing would be 'irreversible' and said that coronavirus restrictions could return in September, adding: 'We must rule nothing out.' 

What Covid 'freedoms' will mean for YOU: Do I have to wear a mask at the supermarket? Can I order at the bar? Will I need two jabs to go to a nightclub? And what about WFH?

By Mark Duell and James Robinson for MailOnline

With Freedom Day set to go ahead next Monday, businesses across England are preparing to wave farewell to most mandatory coronavirus restrictions.

But the Prime Minister's cautious approach means the legal end to rules such as face masks and social distancing does not mean an immediate return to normality.

For Britons are still expected to be asked by firms to wear masks in many walks of life such as while shopping in supermarkets and travelling on public transport.

And venues such as nightclubs are being urged to require 'Covid certification' as a condition of entry, although some have already said they will not do this.

The movement towards businesses deciding what is best for them will lead to a very different approach to the blanket rules the country has become used to. 

And Sage member Professor Graham Medley said mask-wearing 'probably won't do any good' when the Government ends the legal requirement for the protection. 

Here, MailOnline looks at what life will look like in England from next Monday: 

MASKS

LAW: All laws mandating the wearing of masks will be scrapped

ADVICE: The Prime Minister said people should continue to wear masks in confined spaces where they might meet people they would not ordinarily meet. Guidance published last night said: 'Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.' 

SOCIAL DISTANCING

LAW: The two-metre rule is officially being lifted on 19 July, as well as the rule of six which restricts how many can gather together

ADVICE: In fact, people are now being strongly advised to 'minimise the number, proximity and duration of social contacts'. Chris Whitty even suggested that people should avoid 'unnecessary meetings' - and said everyone should continue to abide by 'hands, face, space'.

SUPERMARKETS  

Sainsbury's - The chain told MailOnline it is 'working through the details of the government's announcement on the easing of restrictions and will keep our customers and colleagues updated'.

Morrisons - The supermarket is believed to be waiting for the Government's plan and workplace guidance to be published, which will then reviewed in line with its own policies before any decision is made.

Asda - The supermarket said on Twitter today that 'as per government guidance we will encourage shoppers to wear a mask, however this will be down to the individual as to whether or not they wish to wear a mask when shopping in store'.

Co-op - The chain is yet to make a decision on masks, with a spokesman telling MailOnline it is 'reviewing our policy in light of the new Government announcement'.

Iceland - An Iceland spokesman told MailOnline today that it was 'currently reviewing our policies in line with the latest updates from the Government on the easing of restrictions, and will continue to do so as further updates are provided'. It added: 'The safety of our customers and colleagues will continue to be our priority as restrictions are eased and we will update on any changes as we are able to do so.'

Waitrose - The supermarket told MailOnline that bosses are 'awaiting Government guidance and we will work through that when we have it'. 

Tesco - Not yet responded.

Aldi  - Not yet responded.

Lidl - Not yet responded. 

Marks & Spencer - Not yet responded.

RESTAURANTS AND CAFES

Nandos - The chain told MailOnline that masks 'will be worn at the discretion of staff and customers' and hand sanitiser 'will remain on offer at every restaurant'. It said the rule of six will no longer apply 'so larger tables will be allowed' and it will start  accepting walk-ups again, but till safety screens and enhanced cleaning will remain.  

Mitchells & Butlers - A spokesman told MailOnline that it looks forward to 'trading again without restrictions and at full capacity, allowing our business to continue its recovery from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.' He added: 'As we progress to trading without legal restrictions guest and team member safety will remain our top priority. We will confirm what our policies will be from July 19 in due course.'

McDonalds - The chain told MailOnline it was not yet able to share any updates. 

KFC - Not yet responded.

Burger King - Not yet responded.

Pizza Express - Not yet responded.

Costa - Not yet responded. 

Caffe Nero - Not yet responded.

Starbucks - Not yet responded.

Pret - Not yet responded.

Wagamama - Not yet responded. 

PUBS  

Star Pubs - Bosses are waiting on the detailed government workplace guidance which is expected later today, and it will then be up to staff and customers to make their own decisions on face masks and socially distancing. Most of Star Pubs are leased and tenanted, which means it will effectively be up to each pub to decide.  

Youngs - The chain told MailOnline today: 'We will no longer ask staff or customers to wear masks. We will leave it to them to decide for themselves to or not to wear masks. We will be lifting social distancing in pubs and operating in line with all the latest government guidance.' The pubs will also maintain additional cleaning protocols and other measures such as increased ventilation, with windows and doors open 'at every opportunity'.

Wetherspoon - Not yet responded.

Greene King - Not yet responded.

Fullers - Not yet responded.

City Pubs - Not yet responded.

Stonegate - Not yet responded.

TRANSPORT 

Trains - The Rail Delivery Group, which represents UK train operators, such as Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and Southeastern, told MailOnline today that rail companies 'will ask people to follow the government guidance and, out of respect for others, wear face coverings if an indoor setting is busy'. A spokesman added that train travel is 'low risk, with the majority of carriages well ventilated by air conditioning systems or by doors and windows'. She added that as restrictions lift, they will continue carrying out extra cleaning and providing better information about how busy services are, so that 'passengers can travel with confidence'.

Buses and coaches - The Confederation of Passenger Transport, which represents the bus and coach industry including National Express and Megabus, has called for clearer regulations from the Government but said in the absence of that, passengers' choices will be respected.  A spokesman told MailOnline: 'We expect that many people, especially in busy places, will follow the Prime Minister's call to continue to wear a face covering as a courtesy to others.' But they added that passengers 'will find it difficult to understand why the Prime Minister has singled out public transport as somewhere to wear a face covering when a range of other activities share its characteristics'. A spokesman continued: 'We now need to see clear guidance for operators and customers but, in the absence of regulations, it is important that we respect everyone's right to choose whether to wear a face covering. The industry is doing everything it can to ensure people can travel with confidence. Operators will continue to deliver enhanced cleaning regimes, ensure buses are well ventilated and provide tools such as apps to allow customers to see how busy their bus is and help plan their journey in advance.'

National Express - A spokesman told MailOnline: 'We are all responsible for keeping each other safe. We are advising customers to follow the guidance for the relevant country they are travelling in. We will ask them to continue to be considerate of others and respect their personal choices.' 

Transport for London - No decision announced yet for mask wearing on the Overground, Underground or bus services in London. TfL has not responded. Mayor Sadiq Khan has been considering a bid to force passengers to keep wearing masks. 

Free Now - A spokesman for the car ride-hailing app told MailOnline: 'We are working with regulators to understand if there will still be industry-wide requirements on mask-wearing from Jul 19.

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