People want to ditch face coverings but still wear them in crowds in mixed reaction to July 19 plans
‘I definitely won’t wear a mask once it’s not mandatory’: Shoppers say they can’t wait to ditch face coverings at the pub but will still wear them in crowded stores and on busy commutes in mixed reaction to Boris’ plan to scrap rule on Freedom Day
- The PM is set to announce the end of social distancing rules and mask laws today
- The rule changes are set to be part of new plans ahead of July 19 ‘Freedom Day’
- But the upcoming announcement was met with mixed reaction from shoppers
- Some say they will keep wearing face coverings even if official advice changes
- Others cannot wait to ditch them and say there is ‘no chance’ they will continue
Shoppers say they will ditch masks while eating in pubs and restaurants but still plan to wear them in crowded places as they reacted to Boris Johnson‘s new ‘Freedom Day’ plans.
The Prime Minister is set to announce the end of social distancing rules, the work from home order, and mask laws in a highly-anticipated press conference at 5pm today.
The PM will signal a sharp shift in approach, saying people must use their common sense on Covid risks rather than being compelled by the state.
But the news has been met with mixed reaction from people across the country, with some saying they cannot wait to ditch their face coverings, while others called the government’s announcement ‘premature’.
Brandon Walsh a charity fundraiser from Northfield, Birmingham, said: ‘Once it’s not mandatory I definitely won’t.
‘I have been wearing mine in the places you have to but there’s no chance after July 19.
Self employed seamstress Hilary Gunton, 59, from Redditch, Worcs., said she cannot wait to see the end of masks as she welcomed Boris Johnson’s expected annoucement today
David Pardo (pictured right) said he would ditch the face coverings in the pub and larger supermarkets, while Brandon Walsh says there is ‘no chance’ he will be wearing masks after July 19
Boris Johnson is to declare an end to most lockdown restrictions from July 19 at a press conference later today
‘It should be our decision whether we do, if other people still want to it’s up to them.’
The 24-year-old added: ‘I think if people are worried about the virus they should get vaccinated like I’ve been.
‘If you have an weakened immune system for whatever reason you are at risk but I don’t think we should carry one wearing masks for that reason.
Chloe Baker, 28, PR manager from Kidderminster, Worcs., slammed those who were critical of masks and said the government’s decision appeared ‘premature’
‘It’s an airborne virus so I don’t really understand how masks help anyway.’
Hilary Gunton, 59, seamstress from Redditch, Worcs., also said: ‘I can’t wait to not have to wear masks, the law’s stopped me from doing things I enjoy because I find masks so uncomfortable and difficult to talk and breathe in them.
‘It’s stopped me from having a lot of interaction because I live alone and have only seen close family and friends.’
But others disagreed, saying that they will continue to wear masks on public transport, in shops and in public places.
The chances of larger crowds are set to increase if social distancing guidelines are removed.
The one-metre plus decree and advice to work from home where possible will be dropped are among the restrictions set to be dropped.
Mask wearing will also no longer be mandatory, it is understood, while pubs and other venues will not have to collect customer details and will again be able to serve drinks at the bar.
Despite the changes, Joanna Dunne will be keeping her mask firmly on, calling the government’s expected announcement ‘irresponsible’.
Finance manager Elise Hewett, 36, from Rugby, Warwickshire, said she would still wear masks on packed trains even if the advice changes
pPainter and decorator Thomas Benson, 60, added: ‘I’m definitely going to keep wearing masks because I think it’s best for safety’
The 23-year-old bereavement worker from Leeds, said: ‘I will still wear my mask even after then because cases are still going up.
‘It’s still a deadly disease and we’re just starting to see some great progress.
‘But we’ve been through a number of lockdowns because the government acted too hastily.
‘We’ve been through a long year and a half, I think it’s worth waiting a little bit longer to ensure we do get through this.’
David Pardo, a 53-year-old property manager from Telford, Shropshire, agreed that he wil keep wearing masks on public transport – but said he would ditch the face coverings in the pub and larger supermarkets.
He told Mail Online: ‘I’m very much looking forward to freedom day but I will keep wearing a mask after July 19 on public transport like the train when I come into work.
‘After freedom day though I won’t want to wear one when getting up in pubs and restaurants, I don’t see the point in that.
‘I wouldn’t wear one in larger shops like supermarkets but I think it still makes sense in smaller shops when they’re busy.
‘I can’t see the day when I would never wear a mask and I’ll be keeping an eye on cases over the autumn to decide if I start wearing one more.
‘I’m double jabbed now so I feel comfortable now around other people although I understand if people do want to carry one wearing masks.’
Thomas Benson, 60, painter and decorator from Birmingham city centre, added: ‘I’m definitely going to keep wearing masks because I think it’s best for safety.
‘Wearing one doesn’t bother me much and I’ll keep mine on in shops and public transports, but maybe not in the pub.
‘I think it’s good it won’t be required by law so people can make a personal choice.
‘If other people don’t want to it’s up to them.
‘In my opinion we should expect another lockdown in a few months given the rise in cases.
‘I don’t believe a word that Boris says and I even think mask wearing will become law again.’
Elise Hewett, 36, finance manager from Rugby, Warks., added: ‘I might still wear one in public areas depending on the circumstances.
‘I don’t get buses because of covid but if I was getting on the train at Snowhill when you’re packed like sardines I probably would.
‘In certain large, crowded shops like Primark I probably would do, but I wouldn’t bother in a small corner shop.
‘I can understand if other people want to because not everyone has the same level of confidence, it’s right it’s personal choice.
‘If a pub or restaurant says you have to wear a mask I would be fine with that if it makes them more comfortable.’
Chloe Baker, 28, PR manager from Kidderminster, Worcs., slammed those who were critical of masks and said the government’s decision appeared ‘premature’.
She said: ‘I think the billing of freedom day is unhelpful because we are free to do lots of things at the moment, it’s not as if you can’t breathe.
‘It makes it sound like we are being released from prison.
‘Making masks optional when cases are rising as they are seems a bit early.
‘I don’t think people would mind wearing them a little bit longer after all this time, we have been told to wear them for however long because they work to prevent infection.
‘The issue is that we’re told masks protect other people more than yourself which could put vulnerable people at risk because of personal preference.
‘I’ll wear my mask in all the places we have to at the moment for my own peace of mind and for other people’s safety.
‘I’ve only had one jab myself and people at work have had covid after getting one dose, so I think we need to keep wearing masks for a bit longer until more people are double jabbed.
‘At the moment I think that is only 60% of the population.’
