Minister says people are ‘expected to wear face masks indoor’ after 19 July
Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi has said people will be “expected” to wear face masks indoors after 19 July in an apparent shift in the government’s previous position.
Boris Johnson said last week that face masks would be a “personal choice” after 19 July, but that the government would advise people that wearing them indoors is a good idea.
Zahawi’s comments today indicated that there will be a stronger government message on people wearing masks indoors.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: “It’s important that we remain cautious and careful and the guidelines that we will set out tomorrow will demonstrate that, including guidelines that people are expected to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces and of course to remain vigilant with hands and face.
“What we need to make sure is as the virus gets desperate and attempts to infect people, to mutate and be able to survive, we should continue to fortify the nation with a vaccination programme because that is the way we transition it from pandemic to endemic status.”
There has been some backlash to the government’s announcement last week to lift almost all Covid restrictions, with polls showing that the majority of people want face masks to remain mandatory on public transport and inside shops.
Labour is calling for face masks to remain mandatory indoors.
A new poll from by Opinium found 50 per cent of Brits thought so-called freedom day should be delayed as Covid cases continue to rapidly rise.
There have been 213,528 Covid cases in the past seven days, indicating a 30 per cent weekly rise.
However, Zahawi said 19 July was set to go ahead as planned.
“We’re seeing a rise in infection rates in this country, but also in Europe and elsewhere. The difference for us is that the vaccination programme has been so successful,” he said.