People in England will tomorrow emerge from lockdown with the government's final major easing of restrictions - but so called 'Freedom Day' will come with a note of caution. For the much-touted end to face masks and scrapping of social distancing has given way under reports of over 50,000 new Covid cases a day - a result of the rapidly spreading Delta variant - and rising hospitalisations. Guidance published last night said: 'Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.' An ONS survey this week found that nearly two thirds of adults will continue to wear masks in shops and on public transport. SOCIAL DISTANCING RULESThe one-metre rule will be scrapped in law – meaning fewer Perspex screens in offices.
