Face masks may have to be worn and glass screens used beyond the promised end of the lockdown roadmap next month, a Cabinet minister has said.
Dominic Raab, the Foreign Secretary, said on Sunday that the nation is “very close now to really turning the corner” in the battle against Covid-19, but added that “some safeguards” would likely remain after June 21.
However, a major backlash erupted from the hospitality industry after he served notice that a series of measures could be kept after the fourth and final step in the Prime Minister’s roadmap.
It is understood that the retention of face masks and glass screens are being examined as mitigating measures to offset the abolition of the “one metre plus” rule.
removing social distancing measures in hospitality, entertainment, sports and arts settings is seen as a priority for the Government in order to allow these sectors to welcome back customers at the highest possible capacity and return to profitability.
A government source said last night: “It’s possible we keep some mitigations to help us remove social distancing, yes, but no decisions made yet.”
Mr Raab told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday: “We want to get to the position at the end of June when we can get life back as close to normal as possible, but there will still need to be some safeguards in place.”
When questioned on if the measures are likely to be retained after step four of the roadmap, Mr Raab said: “I think it will be around distancing, maybe there will be something around masks.”
Editor-in-Chief | Carl D. Pearson has been involved in British politics and media from an early age, with the key knowledge of what it takes to run a news organisation for the 21st century. Mr Pearson, as Editor-in-chief, is responsible for supervising the daily tasks of publishing media and content to UNN’s website and various platforms.
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