Londoners left divided over masks as Plan B rules relaxed

BRITAIN-HEALTH-VIRUS
AFP via Getty Images
Robert Dex @RobDexES27 January 2022

Londoners have been left divided over the issue of masks as the relaxation of Plan B rules means face coverings are no longer legally required in England.

Pictures of London commuters revealed people were split over the issue - with some still wearing masks while others had left the coverings off when going about their day-to-day journeys.

The change does not affect Transport for London with Mayor Sadiq Khan saying masks are still mandatory on TfL services.

Major supermarkets - including Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Waitrose and Morrisons - have said they will continue to ask shoppers to wear face masks.

Rail operators are also telling commuters to continue wearing them but the reality in the capital’s streets shows some commuters and shoppers have already stopped wearing them.

Coronavirus - Thu Jan 27, 2022
Commuters on the Circle Line
PA

Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said the Plan B measures can be lifted due to the success of the Covid-19 vaccine programme and falling rates of the Omicron variant.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has signalled his intention to start treating Covid more like flu and has said wearing a face mask will now be a matter of personal judgment.

Public health guidance urging people to wear face coverings in crowded and enclosed spaces when coming into contact with strangers remains in place.

Coronavirus - Thu Jan 27, 2022
Commuters at Liverpool Street Station
PA

Data published on Wednesday by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows infections continue to fall in most parts of the UK, though levels are still higher than before Christmas.

An estimated one in 20 people in private households in England are likely to have had Covid-19 in the week to January 22, or 2.6 million people, down from 3.0 million the previous week.

Covid-related absences of NHS staff at hospitals in England are also continuing to fall but levels are still higher than before Christmas.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also said more pregnant women are coming forward for a vaccine, though most are still unvaccinated.

In August, 23 per cent of women giving birth had received at least one dose of vaccine - rising to 32 per cent of women who gave birth in September and 41 per cent in October.

Some 29 per cent of women who gave birth in October had received two doses of the vaccine.

The UKHSA urged women to come forward for a vaccine to reduce the Covid risks to themselves and their baby.

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