HEALTH Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that July 19 will mark the end of coronavirus restrictions across the UK and that the country will have to “learn to live” with Covid-19.
So what exactly will change when restrictions ease in just over a fortnight’s time?
Although final decisions about what will take place won’t be fully known until a week before, we do know some of the measures due to be lifted on "Freedom Day".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson claims that people will be able to return to “pretty much life before Covid”.
Here are some of the main changes we could see to Covid restrictions.
Nightclubs and live musical performances
Brighton’s range of nightclubs will be able to re-open their doors for the first time in over a year under current plans, as people will be allowed to meet in groups of an unlimited size.
Large events and festivals will also get the green light from July 19, but it is unclear whether any limitation on capacity will be imposed.
Self-isolation
The current requirement to self-isolate after coming into contact with an infected person for ten days is set to be ditched for those who are fully vaccinated.
Instead, it is expected that they will be required to take a daily test for coronavirus every day during the ten-day period.
Face coverings
Environment secretary George Eustice suggested that the legal compulsion to wear face coverings will be dropped once restrictions are lifted in England.
In an interview with Sky News, he explained that while some people may choose to wear face coverings, or would be advised to do so in some cases, “the objective of that final stage is to remove the legal requirement to do these things”.
Weddings and funerals
Last month, the cap on the number of attendees at weddings and funerals was lifted. Remaining restrictions on both ceremonies are due to be lifted on July 19, including on dancing at weddings and table service requirements.
Pubs and restaurants
With the Rule of Six for indoor settings set to be scrapped on on "Freedom Day", venues such as pubs and restaurants look set to be allowed to admit any size group indoors and be able to lift the current table service-only measures currently in place.
Any easing of coronavirus restrictions is dependent on four key measurements - the number of people in hospital, the speed of rising infections of Covid-19, the chance of becoming seriously ill if infected with the virus and - crucially - the number of people who have been fully vaccinated.
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