Spalding shoppers give mixed reaction to news that masks will not be mandatory from July 19
Opinions are divided over whether masks should be abandoned later this month.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that plans are in place to lift all Covid-19 restrictions on July 19 - which means wearing masks in public spaces will no longer be mandatory.
In the time since his announcement, arguments have risen over whether or not this is the right decision.
We visited the streets of Spalding to see what our residents’ thoughts are on the ruling.
Peter Rex (81) assured us he will continue to wear his mask.
He said: “I don’t see any difference in the dates as far as the infection goes. What’s the difference between July 16 and July 19?
“The virus hasn’t gone away. Numbers are still increasing.
“I’ll keep wearing my mask to protect people, so I hope they keep wearing theirs to protect me as well.
“I think the majority of people will keep wearing masks. I hope they do.”
Somara Donger (28) seconded Mr Rex’s views.
“I am going to keep wearing one, yes,” she said.
“It’s for safety reasons more or less. There’s not really much else to it.
“Most people won’t probably keep wearing them, though.”
Garry Yews (41), on the other hand, doesn’t see the need in wearing a mask past the specified date.
He said: “I probably won’t wear one.
“I don’t feel it’s necessary with how fast they’re getting the jabs out, with the amount of people that are getting them.
“If the government says that the restrictions are over, then there’s not really a point in wearing a mask.
“I reckon it will be about a 50/50 split with people who wear them and those who won’t.”
Joanne Whitwell (39) is looking forward to taking her mask off as well.
She said: “No, I’m not (wearing one after the date). I don’t like them, I don’t like how they feel. Especially now that it’s so hot.
“I think a lot of people will stop wearing them.
“I work in personal services, though, so we might have to keep wearing them for close contact and stuff.”
Allen Furby (74) said: “I’m not sure. I don’t like wearing them, but if I have to I will.
“I’ll probably wear them in shops.
“I think it will depend on age whether people keep wearing them or not. More delicate people might keep wearing them, if you know what I mean.”
Darren Sutton, general manager of Charmed Interiors on Market Place, will be following the Government’s advice when July 19 comes.
“We’ve obviously said to our staff that if they want to continue wearing a mask, that’s their choice,” he said.
“It’s not going to be a law anymore, so it’s up to customers if they want to wear one in the store.
“We’re going to keep the screens up at the tills and the hand sanitiser at the doors. That’s what our aim is at the moment.
“I think because our store is quite open, I probably won’t wear one. If I were to go somewhere that’s quite built-up or has a lot of people, I’d probably still wear one personally.
“It’s a personal responsibility thing now, isn’t it?”