Public alarm grows at Boris Johnson’s plan for Covid ‘freedom day’

Poll shows 50% want rules to stay in place, as mayors urge masks on public transport

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Boris Johnson faces a growing revolt over plans to end most Covid restrictions on 19 July - including the mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport and in hospitals - as half of the public now say they want freedom day" to be delayed.

Last night, as doctors and other NHS workers demanded that mask-wearing continue in hospitals, regional political leaders broke ranks, saying they would override the national government on the issue and strongly advise people to continue wearing masks on public transport.