Everything we know so far about when we might be able to stop wearing face masks

Face masks are currently required in almost all indoor public spaces – but when will we be able to stop wearing them?

Face coverings have become a normal part of everyday life during the pandemic, required in supermarkets, shops, banks, public transport and schools.

Wearing a face covering has been required by government advise since May 11th 2020, and failing to comply to face covering rules can land you with a hefty fine. 

But as the prime minister has revealed the roadmap out of lockdown, when can we expect to stop having to wear face masks? 

Step four of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown involves the lifting of all restrictions within the UK. 

The government will review all social distancing measures no earlier than June 21st, including the mandatory face mask restriction.

In the roadmap, the Government states: “The results of the review will help inform decisions on the timing and circumstances under which rules on one metre plus, face masks and other measures may be lifted.

“The review will also inform guidance on working from home – people should continue to work from home where they can until this review is complete.”

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Johnson said: “We will aim to remove [all legal limits] on weddings and other life events.

“We will reopen everything up to and including nightclubs and enable large events such as theatre performances above the limits of step three – potentially using testing to reduce the risk of infection.”

Continuing: “Our journey back towards normality will be subject to resolving a number of key questions and to do this we will conduct four reviews.

“One will assess how long we need to maintain social distancing and face masks.

“This will also inform guidance on working from home which should continue wherever possible until this review is complete.”

However, SAFE sub-group, the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (SPI-M) has warned that ‘maintaining baseline measures’ will still be required even after life goes back to ‘normality’. 

The Government’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Patrick Vallance, said: “It’s more likely to be that we wear masks in certain places, that we are continuing with hand washing, making sure that we are sensible about the way in which we interact with people in indoor environments.

“I would be very surprised if we go in year-on-year with needing to do more things than that.

“But this coming winter, I think we need to wait and see how far we get on with the current reduction in numbers that needs to occur.”