WORCESTER News readers have narrowly backed Boris Johnson tearing up England’s coronavirus regulations at the next stage of the road map.

The Prime Minister has gambled on trusting the public’s judgment and the protection offered by vaccines as he scrapped mandatory mask-wearing and lifted social distancing requirements.

The so-called “freedom day” is expected on July 19, with a decision on whether or not to go ahead being taken a week earlier

Officials acknowledged that Covid-19 cases and deaths would continue to increase – albeit at a much lower level than before the vaccination programme – but it was now necessary to find a new way to live with the virus.

Under the Prime Minister’s plan for Step 4 of the road map:

– There will be no limits on social contact, meaning the end of the orders such as the “rule of six” and restrictions on guests at weddings and mourners at funerals.

– Legal requirement to wear face coverings will be lifted, although guidance will suggest people might choose to do so in “enclosed and crowded places”.

– All remaining businesses will be able to reopen, including nightclubs, while capacity caps will be lifted and bars and restaurants will no longer be restricted to table service.

– The Government will no longer instruct people to work from home.

– The “one metre plus” rule on social distancing will be lifted except in specific circumstances such as at the border, where guidance will remain to keep passengers from red and amber list countries from mingling with other travellers.

– The limit on named care home visitors will be lifted but infection control measures will remain in place.

– There will be no compulsory use of Covid status certification – so-called domestic vaccine passports – although firms will be able to voluntarily use the system.

– The gap between vaccine doses for under-40s will be reduced from 12 weeks to eight, meaning that all adults will have the opportunity to be double-jabbed by mid-Septembe

A Facebook poll of readers asked: "Should restrictions be lifted and 'Freedom Day' go ahead on July 19" and yesterday afternoon was being led by 58 per cent saying yes, to 42 per cent saying no.

We also asked readers whether, if masks become optional, they would wear them and where they would.

Richard Morris said: "No unless it's in a clinical environment - happy to wear one at doctors or a hospital."

Lisa Porter said: "Yes in busy inside spaces."

Jane Frost said: "I am sure I will still be required to wear it at work, but after that I can't wait to go without."

Carol Banks added: "There wasn't much personal responsibility when we were in town on Saturday."

Worcester MP Robin Walker said after July 19 he would continue to wear a mask on public transport but not in shops, unless asked to.

"Just because something isn't compulsory doesn't mean you shouldn't consider not using it, but it is about the right balance - you don't have the government telling you what to do in your everyday lives all the time," the MP said.

Asked whether he supported the lockdown restrictions being lifted on that date he also said: "We should keep a close eye on the number of cases, these things are only ever determined on the evidence.

"But we do need to take into account all the disbenefits of having restrictions in place and interfering with people's freedoms.

"There is a balance to be stuck. As long as hospitalisations are remaining low I am hopeful we will see unlocking of the remaining restrictions, and allowing things to return to a more normal way.

"That doesn't mean an end to protecting ourselves against the virus. This is about making it a matter of choice rather than making it legal sanctum."

Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire and a member of the lockdown-sceptic Covid Recovery Group of MPs, said: “The vaccination programme has made great progress locally and I continue to urge everyone over 18 to get vaccinated.

“The wide uptake and effectiveness of the vaccines means that the risk of overwhelming the NHS has reduced and I fully support the move to end national restrictions and get back to a more normal way of life as soon as possible, taking responsibility for decisions that make sense for us and those around us.

“I’d like to thank everyone involved in rolling out this miracle vaccine – it has truly been the NHS’s finest hour.”

Although the legal requirement to self-isolate will remain for people who have tested positive or been identified as a contact by NHS Test and Trace, Mr Johnson wants contacts who are fully vaccinated to be exempt and the Government will set out further details in due course.

Later this week, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps will give an update on plans to remove the need for fully vaccinated arrivals from amber list countries to isolate, while Education Secretary Gavin Williamson will set out his plans for schools amid concern about the impact of the bubble system.