How will 'Freedom Day' affect people in Norfolk?
It's expected to go ahead on the 19th July.
Last updated 6th Jul 2021
The Prime Minister has announced his intentions with ending nearly all of England’s remaining coronavirus restriction from the 19th July.
It’s expected that mask wearing will no longer be a legal requirement, nor will social distancing.
He instead urged people to “exercise their personal responsibility but to remember the value of face coverings both in protecting themselves and others”.
Mr Johnson said there will be guidance to suggest people “might choose” to wear face coverings when cases are rising, or when coming into contact with people.
Shops and transport providers may still tell customers to wear masks but such a move would come with concerns of a threat to staff and of legal action.
Nightclubs will be able to reopen for the first time since the first lockdown was imposed in March last year.
All other businesses that have been ordered to close will also be able to reopen, meaning gigs, festivals and large events will return.
Jack Jay is the Ringmaster at the Hippodrome, he told us they're excited about the prospect of reopening fully but are conscious that not everyone feels the same: "Throughout the summer we're actually offering, every Tuesday night will remain a socially distanced performance.
"So at least once a week we know there are going to people who aren't necessarily ready to be in a full venue, or have vulnerable or unwell family members.
"That's the kind of thing I think we need to have to move forward."
He added that some responsibility for being able to stay open this time also lies with large venues: "I think that if they show us that trust of saying yes you can reopen, but be responsible with it, hopefully we can all work together to get reopen again."
Weddings will be able to get back to normal too, after having a limit on guests, mask wearing and no group dance floor.
Kiera Goymour is the venue manager and wedding planner at Applewood Hall: “Newly engaged couples have been waiting until they know that weddings are 100% back to normal, before going ahead and booking their venue… I think the next coming few months are going to be busy for us.”
"I’m thinking about our supplier community- DJs, bands, photobooths, venue stylists, all being able to get back to work properly. And being able to support all of those people is just going to be really amazing for the whole industry.”
Kiera also told us that her and he team decided to keep their masks on, even when it’s no longer essential: “For our guests comfort, we felt it was the best decision… Also to protect our staff as well.
"Obviously the majority of people have had at least one vaccination now, if not two… so we are relatively safe, it’s just for everybody’s comfort at least through the summer months.
"It’s just going to make people feel a little bit more reassured and comfortable whilst whilst they’re here with us as a guest.”
Will you be wearing a face mask?
One of the most controversial aspects of the announcement from the Prime Minister was the idea that face masks will become optional from the 19th July.
We asked you what you thought about this and whether you'll be wearing a mask if the changes go ahead.
In Norfolk it was a 50/50 split, with half of you sticking to wearing a face covering, with the other half leaving them behind.
While in West Norfolk, more of you said you'd be ditching the face coverings if they're made optional.
Mr Johnson conceded that the pandemic is “far from over” and cases could be as high as 50,000 detected by July 19.
He said “we must reconcile ourselves, sadly, to more deaths from Covid” but he pinned his hopes on public responsibility and vaccines in suppressing the scale of the toll.
The Prime Minister is set to confirm next week when the restrictions will be lifted, based on the latest evidence.