All lockdown restrictions are to be lifted in England from July 19, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday.

The wearing of masks will no longer be compulsory, he said, defying medical opinion, “but we expect and recommend that people wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with those you don’t normally meet, such as on public transport”.

“But it is absolutely vital that we proceed now with caution,” he stressed. “And I cannot say this powerfully or emphatically enough. This pandemic is not over. This disease coronavirus continues to carry risks for you and your family. We cannot simply revert instantly from Monday the 19th of July to life as it was before Covid. (But) we will stick to our plan to lift legal restrictions and to lift social distancing.”

He also said: “We’re removing the government instruction to work from home where you can. But we don’t expect that the whole country will return to their desk as one from Monday. We’re setting out guidance for business for a gradual return to work over the summer.

“And as a matter of social responsibility, we’re urging nightclubs and other venues with large crowds to make use of the NHS Covid Pass, which shows proof of vaccination, recent negative test or natural immunity as a means of entry.

“We’re updating our guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable on how they can keep themselves safe. And I generally urge everyone to keep thinking of others and to consider the risks. We’ll keep our tough border policy including quarantine for those arriving from red list countries.”

India remains number one among red list countries.

Boris conceded: “There is no easy answer and no obvious date for unlocking. We have cases rising significantly with more than 30,000 today, and we can see what is happening across Europe, as the Delta variant takes hold among our friends.

“We know we’re going to see more hospitalisations and more deaths from Covid. But we also know that this wave was clearly foreseen by our scientists when we first set out that roadmap in February. And if anything, so far, we are in the middle range of their projections for infections, and at the lower end of their projections for mortality.

“And we also know that if we were now to delay this fourth step, for instance, to September, or later, then we would be reopening as the weather gets colder and as the virus requires a greater natural advantage and when schools are back. And so we think now is the right moment to proceed when we have the natural firebreak of the school holidays in the next few days.”

He urged people to get vaccinated.

Boris began, however, by congratulating the England football team which lost the final to Italy on a 3-2 penalty shoot out at Wembley on Sunday.

“Like millions of people across this country I woke up this morning, sad, rueful, but also filled with pride and hope — and thanks to Gareth Southgate and the whole England squad for the best campaign by any England team in any tournament that I can remember.

“They made history. They lifted our spirits, they brought joy to this country. And I know that they will continue to do so. “

Referring to the three black players — Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka — who have been subjected to racist abuse after missing penalties, the Prime Minister had strong words for their abusers: “And for those who have been directing racist abuse at some of the players, I say, shame on you. And I hope you will crawl back under the rock from which you emerged because this entire team played like heroes.

“And I’m sure that this is just the beginning of their achievements. And I say, bring on Qatar next year, and let’s also dare to start to hope that together with Ireland, our United Kingdom can host the World Cup in 2030.”