Minister says wearing a mask will become a ‘personal responsibility’ after 19 July

England might be in the midst of a third wave, but ministers have promised that life will “return to normality as far as possible” after July 19. That’s likely to mean the end of social distancing with mask-wearing left to personal choice.

Although cases are continuing to spread rapidly, another 24,000 were reported today, ministers say they’re confident that’s not translating into “serious illness and death”.