Matt Hancock said Freedom Day would not be delayed beyond July 19 and face mask laws would be removed.
The prime minister confirmed that the lockdowns and restrictions will last beyond June 21.
But now the Secretary of Health has confirmed that covid regulations and laws will be extended until midnight on July 18.
Supermarket shoppers are still expected to wear face masks in stores
Mr Hancock told MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon: “The regulations themselves, we put this break into effect by changing the expiration date, so that they expire at midnight on the evening of July 18.
“We also need to align the dates with several other Covid regulations that are critical to ensuring our safety… for face coverings in public transport, regulations that give powers to manage local outbreaks… and regulations that empower local authorities the powers to enforce Covid security measures for businesses.
“These will all be extended until July 18 at midnight.
“We don’t want to extend these regulations for a day longer than necessary.”
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Johnson said at a press conference on Monday night that he thought it was reasonable to wait a little longer.
“As it stands now, and on the evidence I can see right now. I am convinced that we will not need more than four weeks, ”he told reporters.
New figures from Public Health England indicate that 42,323 cases of the delta variant of the coronavirus have now been confirmed across the UK, a 240% increase from last week, while the country’s transmission rate is at its highest level since January.
What are the current rules for wearing face masks?
The government has advised the public to wear face coverings in closed public spaces, such as shops, where they will be with people they would not ordinarily meet, since May 11.
The full list includes:
- Supermarkets and stores
- Banks and mortgage companies
- Transportation hubs, including stations and terminals, airports, ports, bus and bus stations or terminals
- Post Office
- Sandwich shops
- Take away food
- Places of worship
- Schools (high school students and staff)
- Taxis
- Private vehicle rental
- Funeral service providers
Children under 11, people with “certain disabilities” and first aiders are exempt.
The other exempted persons are:
- An employee of the carrier, when acting within the scope of his employment
- A police officer or police community support officer acting in the line of duty
- A member of emergency response personnel, such as a paramedic or firefighter acting in the line of duty
- An official such as a border force officer, acting in the exercise of his functions
- If you are on public transport but stay in your own vehicle, such as a car ferry
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-06-16 18:00:00
