COVID-19: Sajid Javid says he will carry a face covering 'for the foreseeable future' as Labour calls for mandatory mask wearing to remain
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that there will soon be no legal requirement for people to wear face masks as restrictions are eased.
Tuesday 6 July 2021 14:53, UK
Sajid Javid has said he will continue to carry a face mask "for the foreseeable future" as the government faces an increasing backlash over plans to ditch mandatory wearing on public transport.
The newly appointed health secretary said he would continue to wear a face covering in a crowded space or if he was with someone who felt uncomfortable about one not being worn, once restrictions are eased.
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But Labour's health secretary Jonathan Ashworth called on ministers to "be cautious" and consider keeping mask wearing in place until infections start coming down.
Speaking to Sky News, Mr Javid said continuing to have a face mask on your person beyond the final stage of lockdown easing is the "responsible" thing to do.
"For the foreseeable future I will be carrying a face mask with me, I think that's a very responsible thing for anyone to do," he said.
"As I have said, the pandemic is not over.
"If I'm in a crowded or enclosed space, I will wear a face mask. In fact I will wear one if I was next to someone or near someone that felt uncomfortable with others not wearing face masks.
"And that's what I mean by personality responsibility."
He added that he is "very comfortable" with Prime Minister Boris Johnson announcing that almost all COVID rules will be lifted at the next stage of the government's roadmap, planned for 19 July.
If lockdown easing goes ahead, people in England will be encouraged to use their personal judgement on the risks of infection - and they will be advised that wearing a mask can reduce the risk to themselves and others in environments such as crowded spaces.
But Mr Ashworth raised concerns about removing the legal requirement for people to wear face masks while cases are still increasing, particularly on public transport.
Getting on a bus on tube without wearing a mask would be "putting others at risk", he told Sky News, adding: "We should all continue mask wearing because it is about keeping all of us safe."
Asked if people are "sensible enough to come to that conclusion on their own", Mr Ashworth replied: "Well I hope they are, I hope they are - but I would have maintained the mask mandate for now."
Mr Ashworth's comments come as the PM faces a continued backlash over his plans to ditch rules on wearing face masks.
Doctors, regional mayors, trade unions and health charities are among those who have expressed fears over the relaxed measures.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has also warned that lifting all restrictions in one go would be "reckless" - and is calling for face coverings to remain mandatory on public transport.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul of the British Medical Association said it was "increasingly concerning" for Mr Johnson to "decide to go full steam" on easing measures - despite warnings over rising hospital cases and deaths.
He urged ministers to ensure the wearing of masks is compulsory "until the rampant spread of infection has been brought under control and more of the population are fully vaccinated".
And Lord Barwell, a Conservative peer who was former prime minister Theresa May's chief of staff, said: "The decision to make mask wearing voluntary on public transport is a mistake."
But Professor Robert Dingwall, who is on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said in a Twitter thread that he would stop wearing a face covering on 19 July.
He said he would be doing so in "solidarity" with various groups including "people with communication difficulties, whether auditory and unable to lip-read" and "all the small children whose education has been disrupted by the lack of visual clues, especially in language development".
Professor Dingwall added: "As SAGE, ECDC, WHO, CDC, CEBM, etc have pointed out, the evidence of benefit in interrupting transmission from face covering is weak and ambiguous, allowing any partisan to cherry pick studies that suit their case."
He finished: "If others take a different view, that is their prerogative. However, I will not allow them to suggest that I am less moral or caring and I will expect them to respect my choices as I respect theirs."