More than four million people ditched facemasks in public this summer as commuters, workers and even Cabinet Ministers snubbed SAGE advice on wearing coverings after most Covid restrictions were axed on July's so-called 'Freedom Day', official figures show.
Data published by the Office for National Statistics reveal that use of facemasks across the country has been dropping since its peak at the beginning of May, when 98 per cent of people claimed they had worn one in the past week when leaving their home.
That fell to 89 per cent this month, implying that 4.5million people in the UK stopped wearing any kind of garment over their mouth. In London, where facemasks are recommended on Transport for London services including Tubes and buses, compliance was at 82 per cent.
Mask mandates were first imposed for use on public transport last summer after the Government's half-hearted first attempt to get people back into offices after the first lockdown, and were gradually extended into every aspect of public life.
Scientists have long been split on whether facemasks provide significant protection against Covid. Studies published by the Lancet suggesting they can stop up to 80 per cent of droplets from being released into the air, whereas researchers in Denmark found there was no statistically significant difference in the number of people who contracted the virus while wearing masks in public compared to without.
And Dr Colin Axon, who has advised the Government on minimising the risk of cross-infection in supermarkets, sensationally claimed that standard facemasks are just 'comfort blankets' that do little to reduce the spread of Covid particles.
This week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson risked a backlash after he urged the nation to consider wearing facemasks in crowded places despite Cabinet Ministers ditching their masks at a packed meeting in 10 Downing Street.
Mr Johnson hosted a gathering of his Cabinet as he and his colleagues agreed the Government's Winter Plan - a package of measures to stop the spread of the virus in the coming months.
Ministers were sat shoulder to shoulder around the table and photographs suggested no one in the room was wearing a mask. The Prime Minister then formally unveiled the Winter Plan at a press conference and urged people to 'consider wearing a face covering in crowded places'.
Data published by the Office for National Statistics reveal that use of facemasks across the country has been dropping since its peak at the beginning of May, when 98 per cent of people claimed they had worn one in the past week when leaving their home. That fell to 89 per cent this month, implying that 4.5million people in the UK stopped wearing any kind of garment over their mouth
Commuters disembarking from a train at London Bridge station, during the morning rush hour, July 19, 2021
Commuters, some not wearing facemasks, at Stratford station on July 19, 2021 after most Covid restrictions were axed
In London, where facemasks are recommended on Transport for London services including Tubes and buses, compliance was at 82 per cent
Only a small minority of Conservative MPs including former PM Theresa May wore masks at PMQs last week
Ministers were sat shoulder to shoulder around the traditional Cabinet table and photographs suggested no one in the room was wearing a mask
The Winter Plan sets out how the Government intends to 'manage' coronavirus this autumn and winter. It contains suggestions on how people can adjust their behaviour to reduce the spread of the disease.
The document states that 'it remains important for everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, to follow behaviours and actions that reduce transmission and help to keep people safe'.
Under a list of 'behaviours encouraged to prevent the spread', it states: 'Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed settings where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet.'
Mr Johnson told the press conference this afternoon that the UK's vaccination rollout means 'we have one of the most free societies and one of the most open economies in Europe'.
He said: 'And that's why we are now sticking with our strategy.
'In essence we're going to keep going. We will continue to offer testing. We will continue to urge everyone to be sensible, to be responsible, wash your hands, use ventilation, consider wearing a face covering in crowded places with people that you don't know, stay at home if you feel unwell, download and use the app.'
The PM's remarks and the photographs of the meeting of the Cabinet came after Tory MPs were last week accused of being 'cavalier' with the health of other parliamentarians after many stopped wearing masks in the House of Commons.
The SNP's shadow Commons leader Pete Wishart warned there was an 'increased risk' from Covid in the chamber, and called for all MPs to continue to wear masks to protect one another.
But Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg defended his colleagues' decision not to wear face coverings, saying MPs were 'right to make a judgment for themselves' as the Commons chamber was 'not particularly full' of people.
When the chamber was full at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday last week, only a small minority of Conservative MPs including former PM Theresa May wore masks, while a majority of MPs on
