[England] People ‘expected’ to wear face masks in enclosed public spaces after 19 July

[DumplingsAndStew]

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/face-mask-nadhim-zahawi-covid-b1882018.html

New guidance will be issued by the government telling the public they are “expected” to wearface coveringsin indoor enclosed places, the vaccines minister has said.

Nadhim Zahawialso said he was “confident” the government would ease almost all legal restrictions on 19 July — despite surging cases of the virus and concerns expressed by scientists.

Speaking onSky News, he said: “It’s important we remain cautious and careful. The guidelines that we’ll set out tomorrow will demonstrate that, including guidelines that people are expected to wear a mask in indoor enclosed spaces, and of course remain vigilant.”

While the guidance will not be legally binding, his remarks appear to be a shift in stance fromBoris Johnson’s comments just last week, whosaid people “might choose” to follow the guidancein areas where cases are on the rise and in enclosed spaces, such as public transport at peak hours.

People will still be required to wear face masks in all GP practices in Shropshire – even after after the Government drops the legal requirement on Monday.

North East council leaders want to make face masks a legal requirement on the region's public transport after 19 July.
Seven councils have written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeking similar powers to Transport for London, which has made masks compulsory after national rules are eased on Monday.
Gateshead leader Martin Gannon said masks are "not a huge imposition".

A train company said it would continue to ask passengers to wear face coverings during busy times despite coronavirus restrictions easing in England on Monday.
Juliette Maxam, from Greater Anglia, said the policy was in line with the government's recommendations.

Face masks will remain mandatory in certain transport settings in a string of English cities after mayors staged a revolt.

The mayors of Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North of Tyne and West of England all blasted Boris Johnson's decision to axe compulsory face coverings from Monday.

Dr Catherine Monaghan, a consultant in respiratory medicine at the University Hospital of North Tees, has worked all through the pandemic's first and second waves and now is facing up to the bleak reality of a third Covid surge.

"We are absolutely gutted - it's really hard - I know the whole country wants this to be over - but the reality is that's not what is happening in the hospital," she said.

"People are still critically unwell with it - I cannot quite believe we're back at this stage again - it's really worrying."

And now nurses are donning their high-grade PPE once more.

Transport operators and mayors are not up in arms because masks are effective. It’s because it sends the message that controlling Covid infection is no longer important. The BBC - even the hugely pro restrictions and pro government (neutral my arse) BBC have said as much on their website. Admitted masks won’t really make a material difference to infection rates and it’s all about the message wearing masks sends and the fact that if we’re not constantly surrounded by people with covered faces we’ll all forget we need to be scared.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57751056

“But that does not mean government scientists do not have concerns. Behind the scenes, they have been questioning the policy on face masks, in particular, after ministers made big play last week of the fact mask-wearing would no longer be legally required. Not because it will dramatically alter the course of rising infections, but because of the message it sent out - that controlling infection no longer mattered”

Glad i live in a small market town. Whats the betting MPs u turn on this now that they have to wear one around London.

And deletion tactics start in 3...........2.........1......

Im sick of their fucking mind games.

In South Yorkshire it is only in bus stations, and people will continue not to wear them as they have, which I regularly do not as my station Is pretty much open air and deserted when I travel.

The Jorvik Viking Centre in York is also asking members of the public to continue wearing masks and to social distance after July 19.

Sarah Maltby, Director of Attractions at the Jorvik, said: "We are incredibly proud of being an inclusive attraction, and as such, we want visitors who might worry about the lifting of restrictions - including the Immuno-suppressed, vulnerable people and those who have not yet been vaccinated - to feel safe when visiting.

"It also provides a degree of reassurance for our staff, who come face-to-face with thousands of visitors each day, that we are doing all we can to keep them safe, whilst still offering our experiences to local people and tourists alike."

@PineappleMojito

Transport operators and mayors are not up in arms because masks are effective. It’s because it sends the message that controlling Covid infection is no longer important. The BBC - even the hugely pro restrictions and pro government (neutral my arse) BBC have said as much on their website. Admitted masks won’t really make a material difference to infection rates and it’s all about the message wearing masks sends and the fact that if we’re not constantly surrounded by people with covered faces we’ll all forget we need to be scared.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57751056

“But that does not mean government scientists do not have concerns. Behind the scenes, they have been questioning the policy on face masks, in particular, after ministers made big play last week of the fact mask-wearing would no longer be legally required. Not because it will dramatically alter the course of rising infections, but because of the message it sent out - that controlling infection no longer mattered”

worth repeating

Passengers on trains to Wales will have to put on masks as they cross border

metro.co.uk/2021/07/16/train-passengers-from-england-must-put-on-face-masks-when-crossing-welsh-border-14938317/