People’s lives are set to change in six big ways after ‘Freedom Day’ on July 19.
This week Boris Johnson is expected to announce what happens next as he plans to end all legal lockdown restrictions.
Despite Covid cases rising again to levels last seen in January, ministers are increasingly confident that the vaccination programme has broken the link between the virus and serious illness.
Fewer people are ending up in hospital compared to previous waves and the number of daily deaths remains low.
It means the Government is set to plough on with plans to bring the country out of lockdown.
Crucial decisions about what, if any, measures may be needed over the summer are still being made but ministers have been giving clues about what could be announced.
Here we look at what freedoms could be restored, and which of the Covid measures are set to go.
Social distancing rules to end
The one metre rule that requires people to stay apart from strangers is set to be scrapped from July 19, according to the Sunday Times.
It’s especially good news for pubs and restaurants who have been forced to operate at reduced capacity because of the social distancing restrictions.
The move could mean drinking at the bar is set to return instead of table service.
It also frees the way for mass events with large crowds to go ahead again and for limits on stadium capacities to be scrapped.
A taskforce has been examining the future of social distancing and the results of its review are due out this week, the Sunday Express reported.
Face masks no longer compulsory
Ministers have heavily hinted that it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear face masks after July 19, with individuals being allowed to choose for themselves if they wish to carry on wearing one.
Currently, it’s the law to cover your nose and mouth in indoor public spaces and on buses and trains, unless a medical exemption applies. But the Government is planning to make this no longer compulsory.
The housing secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme that ‘we will move to a phase where it will be a matter of personal choice’ for people to wear face masks.
The minister said that he himself was not planning to wear one after the legal requirement to do so ends.
But scientist Professor Adam Finn, who sits on the Government’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), has recommended people continue to wear a face mask ‘indefinitely’.
QR codes at venues to be scrapped
The Government may also scrap the need to scan QR codes before entering bars, restaurants and other venues.
At the moment, people have to scan in their details so they can be located if someone in the venue tests positive for Covid-19.
But this is causing chaos in the hospitality industry with staff being forced into quarantine on a regular basis.
On July 19, the requirement to check-in at a venue will end but some places may choose to carry on asking for customers’ details, the Sunday Times reports.
Holidays back on for double vaccinated
Another huge change being considered by the Government concerns holidays abroad and whether those who have had both vaccinations will have to quarantine.
Currently destinations are divided by a traffic light system, with only those on the green list safe to visit without the need to self isolate for 10 days on return.
This could change after July 19, with Downing Street said to be prepared to loosen the rules.
It could open up tourist destinations like Spain and Italy, which are both currently on the amber list, but only if people have had both jabs.
The final decision has not yet been made and some restrictions including the need to take Covid tests could remain in place.
School bubbles to finish
The bubble system has been causing chaos in schools, with a whole class expected to quarantine if one pupil comes down with the virus.
It’s causing problems for parents who have to take time off work if their child is at home and means pupils are missing out on vital education.
Schools are set to break up for the summer shortly anyway, and it’s expected that when they return in the autumn, the bubbles will no longer be in place.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has previously said he wants the system dropped ‘as quickly as possible’.
No need to self isolate after contact
Those who have had two vaccinations could escape the need to self-isolate if they come into contact with a positive case.
Currently anyone deemed to have spent sufficient time with someone who has Covid must stay at home for 10 days – by law.
Experts predict up to a million people could be in self-isolation every day, in what’s been called another lockdown in all but name.
On Freedom Day, things could change and self isolation may be replaced by daily testing, with those testing negative allowed to go about their day as normal.
Business leaders and NHS bosses have been calling for the reforms because of staff shortages caused by the current regulations.
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