Jeremy Vine panelists clash over wearing masks

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The Government recently announced it would forge ahead with its plans for July 19, including removing England’s mask mandates. These masks have helped people protect those they love by denying Covid an entrance and exit point. Ministers will make them optional in all but a few locations come July 19.

Where do you need to wear face masks after July 19?

July 19 marks England’s Freedom Day when the country can shed some of the Covid rules that have guided society since last year.

Masks become a matter of personal responsibility from then on, as the Government will no longer direct usage.

But people may still have to wear masks in some locations.

Professor Chris Whitty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, said he would continue to wear his mask in three scenarios.

They include:

• In a crowded space near others
• If asked by a competent authority
• If someone was not comfortable about him going maskless

These are Mr Whitty’s personal choices and not mandated by Government policy beyond July 19.

Otherwise, ministers have handed mask-related decision making to private businesses and organisations.

They will soon be at liberty to decide whether they require customers to wear a mask or not.

Anyone entering the premises must abide by the rules they set, and staff may deny flouters entry.

Some supermarkets, notably Sainsbury’s, have said they will leave mask-wearing to individual choice.

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Simon Roberts, the chain’s chief executive, said the same liberty would apply to staff.

He said: “I think, in the end, it will come down to the choices that individual customers and colleagues want to make.

“It is going to be driven by customer and by colleague choice.”

Public and private transport operators will also follow the same decision-making process.

People will need to check what their preferred mode of transport requires of them before making a journey.

Several airlines, including Easyjet and Ryanair, have confirmed they will keep mandatory masks in place for customers and staff.

Easyjet said it would keep its mask-wearing policy “under review”, however.

Airports may also soon introduce fast-track boarding lanes for double-vaccinated passengers.

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