What's the new guidance on face masks and coverings?

Wearing a mask will no longer be legally required in most places in England from 19 July, the government has confirmed.

However, it says people will still be expected to wear them in crowded indoor areas.

Nearly all remaining Covid restrictions in England will be removed on 19 July.

The legal requirement to wear a face covering in shops, public transport and other enclosed public spaces will end - to be replaced with government guidance.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the government "expects and recommends" that face coverings are worn in crowded and enclosed spaces - when mixing with people you don't normally meet.

Labour has said it is "irresponsible" to drop the legal requirement to wear masks.

England's chief medical officer Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance said they will continue to wear face coverings:

The British Medical Association, which represents doctors is calling for the continued use of masks and new ventilation standards.

Businesses have been considering what they will do.

British Airways, EasyJet, Virgin and Ryanair, have said masks will still be required for air travel, but the situation is less clear for bus and train passengers.

London's mayor Sadiq Khan has said keeping masks would be "the simplest and safest option". While Greater Manchester's mayor Andy Burnham says he hasn't yet decided whether to require them on trams as he wants to avoid adding to people's confusion.

The shop-workers' union Usdaw says masks should continue to be mandatory for shoppers, to protect staff.

You could be refused service, entry or the right to travel if a firm enforces a requirement to wear a face covering.

Companies decide their own health and safety measures and insisting on masks could be a reasonable rule, says Adam Wagner, a barrister at Doughty Street Chambers.

If you took your mask off once inside a building or train, staff would also have the right to ask you to leave.

However, they would not be able to discriminate against protected characteristics, as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

So, if you are currently exempt from wearing a mask, companies would probably have to continue to honour that exemption, says Mr Wagner.

Evidence suggests transmission predominantly happens indoors where people are close together.

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 contagious people with 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.

Make sure it:

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.