I’ll ditch mask as soon as it’s legal, says Rishi
TWO Cabinet ministers piled pressure on Boris Johnson to scrap Covid mask laws yesterday by saying they hoped to stop wearing them by July 19.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he expects to ditch his mask ‘as soon as possible’ once it is no longer legally required in England.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said he would follow suit as soon as the ‘legal compulsion’ was dropped.
‘I have to be honest, once I’m told that it’s safe not to, I want to get back to normal,’ he said.
Mr Eustice said the Government planned to lift ‘all’ restrictions on July 19, including the laws compelling people to wear masks on public transport and in shops.
He added: ‘Whether there will still be some people who might choose to wear masks or whether it may be advisory in some settings, that’s a separate matter.’ But Downing Street played down expectations, with the Prime Minister’s official spokesman insisting ‘no decisions’ had been taken on the issue.
Government sources said it was possible that face coverings might still be required or advised in certain settings, such as on public transport.
Pressed on whether Mr Johnson hoped to stop wearing a face mask at the end of the road map, his spokesman said: ‘That would depend.
‘The Prime Minister, should there be any requirement for it in future, would be happy to comply with them.
‘But, as I say, no decisions have been taken on what will or will not be required in future.’