Masks will no longer be mandated “anywhere” in England from Thursday 27 January, Boris Johnson told the Commons.

Face coverings will no longer be required by law in any settings, including shops and on public transport, although guidance will suggest masks should still be considered in enclosed and crowded spaces.

“In the country at large we will continue to suggest the use of face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces, particularly when you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet – but we will trust the judgement of the British people and no longer criminalise anyone who chooses not to wear one,” Mr Johnson said.

Will face masks be mandatory on public transport?

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, urged the Government to “rethink their plans” to remove the mask mandate and confirmed they would remain a requirement on Transport for London services.

“I’m asking everyone in our capital to do the right thing and continue to wear a face covering when travelling on TfL services to keep us all protected and to prevent further restrictions from being necessary later down the line,” he said.

His decision has been met with backlash from many who have taken to social media to express their rejection of the idea of mandatory mask wearing on TfL services.

While some welcomed the continuation of face masks on public transport in London from Jan 27, it is expected that many will refuse to wear a face covering.

Manuel Cortes, general secretary of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association agrees with the Mayor of London, stating that “Sadiq Khan is spot on when he says face coverings should remain beyond the end of Plan B, especially given the rates of infection we are still seeing.”

Schools

Since pupils returned to school after the Christmas holidays, those in Year 7 and above were asked to wear face masks in classrooms – after ministers drew up contingency plans to keep schools open amid fears of widespread teacher absences. 

As of Thursday 20 January, however, neither staff nor pupils will be required to wear face masks in classrooms, with the Department for Education updating its guidance accordingly.

From January 27, pupils, staff and visitors in communal areas will no longer have to wear masks in communal areas.