People across Greater Manchester are being urged to continue wearing masks in public even after the lockdown rules are lifted on July 19th.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that the final phase of the lockdown being lifted will be in a week, which includes an end to the rules forcing people to wear masks on public transport.
He will confirm at a briefing on Monday July 12th whether the move to end masks and social distancing will continue.
But more than three-quarters of people who were asked in a survey for The Observer said they want the mask requirement to be maintained on public transport.
And Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the Observer he would “strongly encourage” people to continue wearing masks.
He said, “Many people susceptible to the virus have to use public transport and do their grocery shopping in person.”
Continue reading
On the subject of matching items
Continue reading
On the subject of matching items
He added: “Wearing face covers should have remained mandatory in these environments. I will strongly encourage people in the Greater Manchester area to continue wearing masks on public transport out of respect for others. “
Earlier this month, Mr Burnham made his views on the wearing of masks clear.
Speaking to the BBC Question Time, Mr Burnham said: “I am concerned about reports that the distancing and masks are being dropped.
“You have to keep one or two things, you can’t get rid of distance and mask requirements.
“You have to think of people who are worried about being out there.
“I think about the tram in Manchester, I know if that is [social distancing] Some people will feel very vulnerable when they use the tram. I think it is better to comply with the mask requirement. “
He added, “For me, masks are a physical barrier to the spread of the virus and a reminder to people that we still don’t live in normal times and need to keep a little bit of distance from each other.”
Check out the latest political news near you by receiving email updates
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is also working with operators and unions to try to keep masks compulsory in the capital.
A poll for the Observer found that 73% of people believe that wearing masks on public transport should continue after July 19.
Half of the respondents said Freedom Day should be postponed completely.
Face covering will remain mandatory on public transport in Wales, with an obligation to continue wearing it in shops being considered.
The approach is in contrast to England’s roadmap for the lockdown, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the legal requirement to wear face coverings will end once the country hits level 4 on July 19.
A final decision on England’s exit from restrictions is due to be made on Monday.
However, in Wales, masks will still have to be worn in taxis, trains and buses, and in health and social facilities if coronavirus restrictions are eased, the Welsh government said.
It added that “active further consideration” is being given as to whether they are still required by law in other settings such as retail.
Prime Minister Mark Drakeford said: “We will need everyone’s help to keep the coronavirus under control as we continue to respond to the pandemic – this virus is most certainly not gone.
“We know that a lot of people are still worried and afraid to go out. We will maintain the obligation to wear face coverings in certain places – on public transport, in health and social facilities and in others as necessary – to protect us all. “
In Sunday’s announcement, the government said scientific evidence supports the use of face covers to reduce transmission of the virus.
They are “particularly useful” in crowded interiors with poor ventilation.
Health Minister Eluned Morgan said: “Wearing face masks is an effective way to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus.
“We all have a duty to protect one another. Keeping everyone safe was and will be a priority for the Welsh Government during the pandemic. “
Continue reading
On the subject of matching items
Continue reading
On the subject of matching items
It was announced on Friday that face coverings will no longer be routinely recommended in classrooms across Wales from September.
Mr Drakeford is expected to make a statement on Wednesday that will provide more details on the new zero alert for Wales.
The country is currently on alert one and face covering is mandatory in all indoor public spaces.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will announce her country’s next steps out of the lockdown in a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, but has already described Mr Johnson’s approach as “an exception” suggesting they are more cautious becomes.
In Northern Ireland, consideration will be given to the repeal of regulations on all face coverings over the next month, with regulations possibly being replaced by guidelines.
The Stormont board of directors has already announced that on July 26th, the legal requirement to wear face coverings in places of worship will also be lifted, while the use of face masks in classrooms will be removed from the instructions.
You can find more stories from where you live at InYourArea.
