// 64% of adults plan to keep wearing face coverings following the removal of most restrictions in England on Monday, ONS says
// Most also believe wearing a face covering when shopping & social distancing help stop the spread of Covid-19
// 57% are worried about plan to lift legal restrictions, including a fifth who were “very worried”
Almost two thirds of adults say they will continue wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport when this is no longer a legal requirement, figures show.
Some 64 per cent of the public said they plan to keep wearing face coverings following the removal of most legal restrictions in England on Monday, the ONS said.
Its poll found that most adults believe that measures such as wearing a face covering when shopping (90 per cent) and social distancing (88 per cent) to stop the spread of Covid-19 are important.
READ MORE:
- Face masks to remain compulsory in London’s Borough Market
- Tesco, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, Waitrose and more encourage face masks
- How will the removal of Covid-19 restrictions affect retail?
And more than half (57 per cent) of adults said they were worried about the government’s plan to lift legal restrictions when it moves to Step 4, including a fifth who were “very worried”.
From July 19, it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering in most settings in England, but the government said it “expects and recommends” that people continue to do so in crowded areas.
In some parts of the country, such as London, they will be required on public transport as a condition of travel.
The ONS analysed responses from 3824 people in Britain between July 7-11, after the government announced its plans for Step 4.
It found that anxiety levels increased slightly, continuing what appears to be a gradual rise since early June.
Holidaying abroad was the most popular activity respondents said they were looking forward to when restrictions ease.
Some 54 per cent of adults said this, with younger adults more likely to wish to travel.
with PA Wires
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
