Should I still wear a face mask or covering and what are the rules?
By Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online
- Published
Wearing a mask will no longer be legally required in most places in England from 19 July.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it will be a matter of "personal responsibility".
How are the rules on face masks changing?
Nearly all remaining Covid restrictions in England will be removed on 19 July - subject to confirmation on 12 July.
The legal requirement to wear a face covering in shops, public transport and other enclosed public spaces will end.
But official advice will say face coverings should still be worn, as a voluntary measure.
How will travel, shopping and events in England be affected?
Some businesses plan to put their own rules in place after the law changes:
Does everyone think removing masks is a good idea?
Doctors and scientists are urging caution.
Both England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance have said they will continue to wear face coverings, mainly in three situations:
- indoors, in any situation which was crowded or in close proximity to other people
- if asked to by any "competent authority"
- if someone else was uncomfortable, as a "common courtesy"
The British Medical Association, which represents doctors, also says it makes no sense to stop wearing face coverings in enclosed public spaces.
What about the rest of the UK?
The legal need to wear a face covering in certain places will remain - for the time being - in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The Scottish government has said it could keep some basic measures, including wearing masks, at its next review in August.
Why use a face covering?
Evidence suggests transmission predominantly happens in indoor spaces where people are in close proximity.
Face coverings worn over the nose and mouth reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking.
The main purpose is to protect others from Covid, rather than yourself. If everyone wears one, the risks drop for all.
There is some evidence they offer protection to wearers, but are not a replacement for social distancing and hand-washing.
Masks can also help reduce virus spread from people who may be contagious but have no symptoms.
Cutting virus transmission is important because many people are still not yet fully vaccinated.
Also, some new virus variants appear more transmissible than earlier Covid strains.
What sort of face covering is best?
Make sure it:
- has a nose wire
- has at least two/three layers of material
- fits snugly over mouth, nose and chin (tie knots in the ear loops of surgical masks if necessary)
The highest level of protection is provided by FFP3 (or similar) masks worn by healthcare workers in high risk settings.
Trained staff need to fit them correctly. They are worn in conjunction with other personal protective equipment (gloves, aprons, eye protection).
A recent study by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust found FFP3 masks provided up to 100% protection against Covid.
Staff wearing standard issue surgical masks, as recommended in official guidance for most situations, were much more likely to catch the virus.
Members of the public can buy FFP3 masks, but they won't provide the highest protection unless fitted correctly.