If all restrictions are ending on July 19th, why are people talking about mask wearing and social distancing continuing?

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

Johnson etc al, plus the popular press, keep saying that "all restrictions" will be lifted on July 19th. And yet the media is also talking about some measures such as mask wearing on public transport continuing. So does that mean that 19th July will be another step in easing restrictions but not a total lifting?

I have got to be honest, I think if anything should stay its masks.

I've asked my hair dresser twice now what their policy will be on masks after the 19th if they are made optional.

I refuse to sit for over 3 hours with one on. I don't wear one anywhere else so I'm not about to there. I did in December but just made sure I always had a can open so I was always drinking.

If they insist, I'll find a hair dresser that doesn't

@Nootkah

It has only ever been lifting restrictions on social contact and events, never about a complete return to normal. I fully expect masks and testing/passports tonolay a part in it.

Why are people saying this? I'm sure it started as all restrictions lifted.

@Rabblesthecat

I've asked my hair dresser twice now what their policy will be on masks after the 19th if they are made optional.

I refuse to sit for over 3 hours with one on. I don't wear one anywhere else so I'm not about to there. I did in December but just made sure I always had a can open so I was always drinking.

If they insist, I'll find a hair dresser that doesn't

Granted I only sit there for half an hour (cut and blow with minimal styling), but I would prefer a hairdresser who continues to wear one. So I guess the market might stratify - some establishments will use them, others won’t.

So hopefully everyone will be happy. Except perhaps the hairdressers in businesses whose policy is the opposite to their own preferences.

yes, was thinking about this over the weekend. I am not comfortable at all with going out in places where there will be no social distancing or masks, so I will never again go to a pub, restaurant, hairdressers. I have been doing my own hair for the past 18 months so will continue with that for the rest of my life, I am 51 so not too bothered about doing that

@PuzzledObserver

I don't care if they choose to wear one, I don't want to be forced to wear one myself!

[quote Rabblesthecat]@PuzzledObserver

I don't care if they choose to wear one, I don't want to be forced to wear one myself![/quote]
I understand that - but my point is that other than full grade medical masks, they protect other people more than they do the wearer. So a ‘nervous’ employee really wants to be in an establishment where the customers are also wearing masks.

@StealthPolarBear Why are people saying this? I'm sure it started as all restrictions lifted.

No. When the roadmap was published, stage four was the opening of nightclubs and lifting of all restrictions on the number of people who can meet. There was also going to be a separate review into other measures, such as distancing, face covering, wfh recommendations, travel etc.

Give me a minute, I might find the reference.

Here you go - see the section headed “Review of Social Distancing” just before Step 4

Always been a separate step, not guaranteed to happen at the same time as limits of numbers being removed.

It seems back to front to me to end a requirement for masks before other measures like isolation etc.

To be clear I don’t think masks are some amazing tool to completely defeat covid but there is a value in providing a barrier (ideally two) between infected aerosols and uninfected people. It significantly reduces opportunities for the virus to either escape or access entries in and out of bodies. It’s like taking soap out of public toilets, a lot of people don’t wash their hands at all never mind properly but you're going to see a rise in germ transmission if you take it away completely.

[quote PuzzledObserver]**@StealthPolarBear* Why are people saying this? I'm sure it started as all restrictions lifted.*

No. When the roadmap was published, stage four was the opening of nightclubs and lifting of all restrictions on the number of people who can meet. There was also going to be a separate review into other measures, such as distancing, face covering, wfh recommendations, travel etc.

Give me a minute, I might find the reference.[/quote]
Thank you. Clearly people like me heard what we wanted to hear!

Yes, if you're in a well ventilated room then masks contain your breath and vent it 'behind' you rather than into the face of the person you're talking to.
Clearly in a poorly ventilated room it's the same air circulating so probably little impact

@Cornettoninja

It seems back to front to me to end a requirement for masks before other measures like isolation etc.

To be clear I don’t think masks are some amazing tool to completely defeat covid but there is a value in providing a barrier (ideally two) between infected aerosols and uninfected people. It significantly reduces opportunities for the virus to either escape or access entries in and out of bodies. It’s like taking soap out of public toilets, a lot of people don’t wash their hands at all never mind properly but you're going to see a rise in germ transmission if you take it away completely.

Masks and isolation are different measures.

Masks are a general purpose measure within the community, isolation is as a result of a confirmed or suspected case

Isolation will be required while Covid exists, whether or not it is tracked or enforced. Eg even pre Covid someone who had an infectious disease is expected to isolate and those who may have had contact would be considered for quarantine / isolation

I’ll still be considering when and if to wear masks or face shields. Also pre Covid we did observe countries and communities that wore masks, often due to air quality but also due to concerns about infections. I expect that a numbers of people will continue to do so

Whereas I'm CEVand happy to get my hair done now I'm double vaccinated, but only if we're all masked up.

Poor hairdressers trying to angle it best to suit the customers.

Hairdresser has confirmed that if the government don’t have it compulsory they won’t so I’ve now booked in for august

@Tommika I understand the difference but it’s been known all along that any one single measure alone isn’t enough - back to the Swiss cheese model…

I should have specified but I would have thought masks, as a fairly easy measure in comparison to isolations, would go after contact isolations were lifted, and not just for the double vaccinated.

user1497207191 I thought it was compulsory to wear masks in shops. There is usually a sign on the door to say you have to wear a mask unless exempt.
what I’m saying is that those who don’t want to wear masks any more feel free to stop! Because plenty of others will continue to wear them.