PM plans to lift England masks, distancing rules

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says people in England will no longer be required by law to wear face masks in indoor public spaces and to keep at least 1 meter apart as soon as later this month, confirming plans to reopen society despite rising coronavirus cases.

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said “We will change the basic tools that we have used to control human behavior, we'll move away from legal restrictions and allow people to make their own informed decisions about how to manage the virus.”

He said that's scheduled to happen on July 19, although a final decision will come on July 12. The change will mean people can throw away masks after months of enforced face-covering, though businesses and transit operators may still require them, and they will still be recommended in some enclosed spaces.