Face masks will be back if virus cases surge in autumn

TENS of millions of adults in England will be told to wear face masks in indoor settings if Covid-19 cases surge this autumn, The Daily Telegraph understands.

Boris Johnson is understood to be “adamant” that a nationwide lockdown will not be reimposed given that so many adults have been vaccinated, but mask mandates will be one of the first levers pulled by the Government if there are concerns the virus is spreading at an alarming rate.

The move is seen in Downing Street as preferable to reimposing social distancing rules because it has less of a direct impact on the economy.

Covid restriction laws are being extended until next spring, meaning that fines could return for people who ignore orders to wear masks in certain settings.

No 10 would have to decide whether to make such orders compulsory or advisory. In recent months there has been an emphasis on “personal responsibility”, suggesting the latter.

Mr Johnson plans to announce his approach next week, making clear that the Government is ready for a wave of cases as the weather cools.

The Prime Minister is expected to approve vaccine boosters – though for how many remains a point of internal debate – and announce the biggest flu jab rollout in history.

Vaccine passports for nightclubs and other settings are also expected to be confirmed, with Mr Johnson stressing that the country faces an “uncertain” few months with Covid.

No decisions have been made about when any measures should be imposed, but there is an emerging consensus in Downing Street about how to approach the coming months.

VACCINE passports could be required in venues beyond nightclubs, Oliver Dowden, the Culture Secretary, said yesterday as ministers pushed ahead with preparations.

Whitehall is drafting plans for how the requirement for people to show proof of having had two Covid vaccines would work and exactly which places would have to adopt it.

Downing Street is braced for a Covid19 surge this autumn as people spend more time indoors in cooler weather.

Boris Johnson abruptly changed the Government’s stance on so-called vaccine passports in July after he announced the lifting of almost all other restrictions.

The Prime Minister said he would change the law by the end of September to require people entering nightclubs or other large gathering venues to show proof of being double jabbed.

The announcement came weeks after he ruled out such a move. It also saw that only proof of a vaccine would be used as the check. Previous iterations included a negative test or proof of Covid antibodies.

It prompted speculation that Mr Johnson’s declaration was an attempt to encourage young people to get vaccinated, given concern over slow uptake among people aged 18-30.

Mr Dowden yesterday told Sky News: “My overall approach to certification – and the Prime Minister’s and the rest of the Government’s – is, in relation to any restrictions, we want as few restrictions for as short a period as possible. But if we need them to protect public health, we will.

“That is why we have said in relation to very high-risk venues – and a nightclub is an example of that, you have got lots of people mingling very closely to each other, often poor ventilation – we will be looking at bringing in certification for the nightclubs towards the end of the month.”

Mr Dowden said the Government will “continue to engage with other sporting and culture venues”, adding: “If there is a need to further extend that certification according to the public-health need we will look at doing so.

“But we are always reluctant to impose further burdens on businesses unless we really have to.”

It remains unclear exactly how the Government plans to change the law to legally mandate some venues to use vaccine passports. Dozens of Tory MPS have voiced concerns about the plans and indicated they are willing to vote against the measures.