Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

No more masks from July 19 as UK set to become 'most open country in Europe'

No more masks from July 19 as UK set to become 'most open country in Europe'

ENGLAND is all set to go mask-free as latest media reports claim that wearing face masks will become a matter-of-choice everywhere – including on public transport- under a raft of measures that are set to come into force from July 19 which will “make Britain the most open country in Europe”. 

As per Freedom Day plans that are expected to be signed off by the cabinet soon, wearing face masks will become voluntary, double-jabbed Britons will not be required to self-isolate or take Covid-19 tests even if they are alerted that they have come into contact with someone with the virus and the school bubble system- that is keeping hundreds of thousands of children at home- will be replaced by daily testing system.


Restaurants, pubs and shops will no longer have to demand that customers provide their personal data or sign in with a 'QR' code, media report said, adding that prime minister Boris Johnson is also “determined” to make double-jabbed holidaymakers enjoy a foreign break without having to isolate when they return to Britain.

The guidelines, which are expected to be announced this week, are also expected to end the one-metre-plus rule in hospitality venues such as pubs.

"This is a big injection of freedom that will make us the most open country in Europe," a No 10 source told The Mail on Sunday (4).

The development comes as covid infections continue to rise across the UK. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) data suggests that there has been "a notable increase in infection rates" across England, Wales and Scotland during the week ending 26 June with one in every 250 people may now be infected by coronavirus.

Saturday (3) saw 24, 885 new daily cases and 18 new deaths. The rises are said to be driven by the Delta variant, bringing the infection rates similar to February. However, it is hoped fewer people will go on to become ill with severe symptoms, because of the vaccination programme.

Recent figures also suggest that vaccines have already reduced hospital admissions and deaths as fewer infections are now leading to a death as compared with what was seen last winter.

Meanwhile, Britain's vaccination programme continues with 85.7 per cent of adults having now had their first jab, while 63.4 per cent have received both doses of the vaccine.

Speaking about the vaccine programme, UK health and social care secretary Sajid Javid said that the UK is “on track” to escape almost every vestige of lockdown on July 19, adding: "We will have a country that is not just freer, but healthier, too."

More For You

uk weather

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England

iStock

England faces widespread heat alerts and hosepipe bans amid rising temperatures

Highlights:

  • Amber heat health alerts in place for large parts of England
  • Hosepipe bans announced in Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex
  • Temperatures could reach 33°C over the weekend
  • Health risks rise, especially for elderly and vulnerable groups

Heat warnings in effect as UK braces for another hot weekend

Amber heat health alerts have been issued across several regions of England, with temperatures expected to climb to 33°C in some areas over the weekend. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated the warning at 12 pm on Friday, with it set to remain in place until 9 am on Monday.

The alerts cover the East Midlands, West Midlands, south-east, south-west, East of England, and London. Additional yellow alerts were issued for the north-east, north-west, and Yorkshire and the Humber, starting from midday Friday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma’s Canada cafe shot at days after opening

Instagram/ginnichatrath

Kapil Sharma’s Canadian café targeted in shooting, Khalistani terrorist cites mockery of Nihang Sikhs as motive

Highlights:

  • Shots were fired at Kap’s Café in Surrey, Canada, owned by comedian Kapil Sharma, just days after its opening.
  • Khalistani extremist Harjit Singh Laddi, linked to banned group BKI, claimed responsibility.
  • The motive cited was an old comedy segment from The Kapil Sharma Show that allegedly mocked Nihang Sikhs.
  • No injuries were reported; Canadian authorities are investigating the incident.

Comedian Kapil Sharma’s recently launched Kap’s Café in Surrey, British Columbia, was the target of a shooting in the early hours of 10 July. Though no one was harmed, the property sustained significant damage. A known Khalistani extremist, Harjit Singh Laddi, has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing perceived religious disrespect on The Kapil Sharma Show.

 Kap\u2019s Cafe in Surrey  Kap’s Cafe in Surrey was struck by gunfire late at night with staff still insideInstagram/thekapscafe_

Keep ReadingShow less
Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

Models depicting migrants wearing life jackets in a small boat alongside two banners reading 'Stop the boats' and 'Veterans before refugees' are displayed on top a bonfire in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by PETER MURPHY/AFP via Getty Images)

Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

POLICE in Northern Ireland have launched a hate crime investigation after a bonfire topped with effigies of migrants in a boat was set alight in the village of Moygashel, County Tyrone.

The incident, which took place on Thursday (10) night, has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, church officials, and human rights groups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navratri festival in Wembley

A similar event held at the same site last year resulted in a planning enforcement notice being issued due to complaints of noise and disturbance.

Getty Images

Navratri festival in Wembley faces objections

A PROPOSED 10-day Hindu festival in Wembley, north London, has drawn objections over concerns about noise and disruption in the area.

Asian Events Media (AEM) has applied to Brent Council to host the Navratri celebration at Alperton Studios from September 22 to October 1, according to The London Standard.

Keep ReadingShow less