Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak will no longer avoid self-isolation by taking part in a convenient pilot scheme after a backlash has forced them to decide to spend "Freedom Day" locked indoors.
Sun-starved Britons flocked to beaches and parks today causing miles-long tailbacks on the hottest day of the year so far as temperatures hit 88F (31C), making parts of the U.K. warmer than the Caribbean.
A number of large supermarket chains, including Sainsbury's and Tesco, have announced that they will continue to tell customers – over tannoys and on signs – to wear face masks when in-store after "Freedom Day".
Sadiq Khan says face masks will remain compulsory on London transport beyond "Freedom Day" and for "as long as the virus is still with us". Andy Burnham has not "ruled out" doing the same in Manchester.
Students at the University of Oxford have been instructed that the institution's rules on social distancing, face masks and working from home will not change after "Freedom Day" because "Covid remains a real threat".
There's was a particularly downbeat tone to the Prime Minister's speech on Monday evening in which he said that the country can proceed with easing lockdown restrictions on July 19th, but "with caution".
Far from being a "terminus date" for restrictions in England, "Freedom Day" will see the Government urge large indoor venues to tell customers to show Covid passes before being granted entry, it has been confirmed.
While there will be no "legal compulsion" to wear a face mask after July 19th, people will still be "expected to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces", according to Vaccines Minister Nadim Zahawi.
The closer we get to July 19th, the further we seem to shift from normality. It's no wonder then that the Prime Minister is said to be attempting to tone down the "Freedom Day" rhetoric.
A number of major airlines, including Ryanair, easyJet and British Airways, will continue to force passengers to wear face masks on their planes after "Freedom Day".
