but don't want to openly back down, so now it's about 'expectations':
Nadhim Zahawi says mask wearing will be ‘expected’ after 19 July
Masks will still be “expected” in crowded places such as public transport when most remaining Covid restrictions are lifted later this month, a minister has said, in a marked toughening up of rhetoric amid concerns over soaring infection rates.
Nadhim Zahawi, the vaccines minister, who in effect confirmed Boris Johnson would announce the reopening on Monday, said the government would provide very clear guidance on issues such as the wearing of masks, as England moves away from using laws to govern the response to Covid.
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“I think it’s important that we remain cautious and careful,” he told Sky’s Trevor Phillips on Sunday programme. “The guidelines that we will set out tomorrow will demonstrate that, including guidelines that people are expected to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces, and of course to remain vigilant.”
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“We will be setting out tomorrow guidelines on everything from mask wearing, the transition from mandating, or government by diktat, to taking personal responsibility, whether for our own actions or corporate responsibility.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/11/zahawi-covid-reopening-going-ahead-on-19-july-but-mask-wearing-expectedThey hope that by invoking "personal responsibility" this gets the government off the hook - they allow the anti-mask Tory MPs to trumpet that "Freedom Day!!!!!" has occurred, while blaming some part of society (which they won't admit is the hard-core Tory supporters) for the subsequent spread. It's another abdication of government responsibility (without, alas, an actual abdication of office).
I predict the Tory press will be full of columns whining that they are being judged every time they walk maskless into a crowded area and see plenty of people with masks on. And about shops that keep a masked policy.
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