The prime minister is said to be ready to reveal plans for a full re-opening of hospitality from Monday, 19th July.
This comes, however, despite reservations from scientists that the move could create ‘variant factories’ around the country.
But Boris Johnson is keen to make the change from imposing restrictions to letting people make up their own minds about the precautions they take.
This stance is backed by new health secretary Sajid Javid, who feels it is impossible to eradicate covid and that it is better to “find ways to cope with it”.
The news, expected to be announced in a press conference today, will please the hospitality industry, and those patrons who are keen to get back to normal life in venues.
The key points expected to be announced
- Making the earing of face masks voluntary, expect in hospitals and other health settings
- The dropping of social distancing
- An end to enforced table service
- The return of mass participation events, such as music festivals
A Downing Street source was quoted in the Sunday Times, saying: “We believe it is now time for the public to start learning to live with covid.
“All the data and scientific modelling suggests that the lifting of restrictions will lead to a rise in cases, but — with the continued success of the vaccine rollout and the break in the link between hospitalisations and death — we are confident there will be no risk of it putting significan additional pressure on the NHS.”
