The British public have shown themselves to be predominantly behind the vaccination campaign and mostly tolerant of the lockdown rules still in force.

But there has been a vocal minority who have made their antipathy to both vaccines and Covid rules strongly felt.

What is set to become of this growing anti-lockdown movement once Covid restrictions are lifted? The BBC's specialist disinformation reporter Marianna Spring has been looking into it.

Image source, AFP

It's just over a year since face coverings became mandatory on public transport in England, but that could soon be coming to an end as part of the government's next stage of relaxing restrictions.

Unions, including Unite and those representing the rail industry, are among the latest to criticise the idea.

Unite said ending the requirement to wear masks on public transport would be "an act of gross negligence by the government".

“Rates of infection are continuing to increase, and not only does mask wearing reduce transmissions, it helps provide reassurance to drivers and to passengers who are nervous about using public transport," national officer for passenger transport Bobby Morton said.

“Until rates of Covid-19 are fully under control, throughout the whole of the UK, the rules on mask wearing on public transport should remain in place.”

And the train drivers' union Aslef says making mask-wearing a personal choice is "a step too far".

Mick Whelan, its general secretary, said: 'We would rather err on the side of caution and be guided by the science. And the scientists, at the moment, are not saying people - especially passengers - should stop wearing masks."

Mick Lynch, from the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, accused the government of "making up policy on the hoof".

He said: "All the indications are that the government are going for a free-for-all, whereas common sense and medical advice seems to indicate that some level of control should remain in place in the public realm."

The number of drop-in vaccination centres in Scotland is being expanded across the country after a sharp rise in Covid case numbers.

All mainland health boards are now offering drop-in clinics.

Everyone aged 18 and over can attend for their first dose. People who had their first jab at least eight weeks before can attend for a second dose.

Last week saw the most Covid-19 daily cases recorded in Scotland at any point during the pandemic, with a peak of 4,234 new infections.

According to the latest ONS infection survey figures, Scotland is also believed to have the highest Covid rate in the UK, with estimated levels in the Scottish population 73% higher than in England, triple those in Wales and more than four times higher than those in Northern Ireland.

The Queen has awarded the George Cross to the NHS as the health service marks its 73rd anniversary.

In a handwritten message, the Queen said NHS staff across the UK had worked "with courage, compassion and dedication" for more than 70 years.

NHS England chief executive Sir Simon Stevens said the award recognised the "skill and fortitude" of staff.

The George Cross, instituted by King George VI in 1940 during the height of the Blitz in World War Two, is awarded for "acts of the greatest heroism or of the most courage in circumstances of extreme danger".

Read more.

Image source, Buckingham Palace

Image source, PA Media

The Duchess of Cambridge was due to spend the day with her husband at events to mark the 73rd anniversary of the NHS.

However, she will now face 10 days of isolation at home, after coming into contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19.

Kensington Palace said in a statement: "Last week The Duchess of Cambridge came into contact with someone who has subsequently tested positive for Covid-19.

"Her Royal Highness is not experiencing any symptoms, but is following all relevant government guidelines and is self-isolating at home."

Kate's last public event was a visit to Wimbledon on Friday, where she met staff and sat with former tennis star Tim Henman to watch Jamie Murray play in the doubles.

William contracted Covid last spring but was able to carry on with telephone and online engagements while he was treated by royal doctors.

Image source, Getty Images

Indonesia's government has ordered producers to prioritise medical oxygen amid a Covid surge and a shortage of oxygen in a number of cities.

Hospitals say they have almost exhausted supplies, with one reporting that 63 patients died as a result of oxygen shortages.

Indonesia, which has had the worst Covid outbreak in South East Asia, is recording more than 25,000 new cases every day.

Increased travel and the highly contagious Delta variant have exacerbated the crisis.

Earlier today, two hospitals in the city of Bandung announced that they had run out of oxygen, and had to reject new patients seeking emergency treatment.

Over the weekend, emergency services and intensive care units of public hospitals in the cities of Bandung, Surakarta, and Pamekasan said they were struggling with an influx of people seeking admission, with some having to turn away patients.

"It's a war-like emergency," a woman seeking treatment for her elderly mother told the BBC's Indonesian service. Her mother had first been rejected at a hospital that had run out of beds, and was only able to get admitted to a makeshift tent at another one.

The Duchess of Cambridge is having to self-isolate after coming into contact with someone who later tested positive for Covid-19, Kensington Palace says.

Why there will be simultaneous announcements this afternoonpublished at 10:28 British Summer Time 5 July 2021

10:28 BST 5 July 2021

Iain Watson
Political correspondent

The Commons Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, has been increasingly critical of what he sees as the government's attempts to bypass Parliament by making big announcements on television first.

So the government is giving MPs an opportunity to cross-examine the health secretary while the prime minister hosts a televised press conference.

So the government can't be accused of avoiding scrutiny - but as both events will be at 5pm, Sajid Javid is not being allowed to steal his boss's thunder by announcing a bonfire of restrictions first.

But the Speaker may still find it irritating that MPs will not be the first to hear the news, or that the PM himself is not coming before Parliament.

At just 17 years old, Evie Davis has already represented Team GB at the European Swimming Championships and set a British swimming record.

But when pools closed during the pandemic, the teenager from Bromley, south London, found herself having to train in a makeshift paddling pool.

What does learning to live with Covid look like?published at 10:08 British Summer Time 5 July 2021

10:08 BST 5 July 2021

Iain Watson
Political correspondent

Ministers have prepared the ground for the "great unlocking" on 19 July in England.

Even before the prime minister's press conference we have been told to expect cases to continue to rise.

But at that press conference this afternoon - and in the Commons, when Health Secretary Sajid Javid makes a statement - the questions the government will face will be grim but necessary: How many more cases are expected when remaining restrictions are lifted?

And if we are to learn to live with Covid - like flu - what is an acceptable level of mortality?

Would it be similar to the death toll from flu in a normal year - or in a bad year when there are new strains? Or worse?

Labour is currently being cautious on ending restrictions until the data is produced.

Of course, those sceptical of restrictions will say that data on mental health, classroom closures, and failing businesses is just as vital.

Image source, Getty Creative

Face masks and social distancing have become a way of life for millions of workers in shops, bars, cafes, offices over the last 18 months, but now it seems likely that from 19 July people will no longer have to use them.

The TUC's Paul Nowak, the deputy general secretary, says the government has a duty to ensure employees feel safe at work when restrictions are relaxed.

He told Radio 4’s Today programme it was vital that, when millions of people returned to work, they had confidence their workplace was "as Covid secure as possible” .

“I just don’t think it’s acceptable for government to simply outsource its responsibilities to individuals – and indeed to individual employers.”

He adds that personal responsibility will have a role to play but the government cannot “wash their hands of responsibility".

He says the problem with personal choice is that people can take different levels of personal responsibility and that “sensible” guidance would give employers a framework to work with.

No mention of schools or isolationpublished at 09:49 British Summer Time 5 July 2021

09:49 BST 5 July 2021

Chris Mason
Political Correspondent

The government's so-called roadmap for unlocking in England was first published in February.

The anticipated dates for the easing of restrictions were all met - apart from the final one, which was due to happen a fortnight ago on 21 June and is now expected to happen on 19 July - a fortnight from today.

A final decision will be taken in a week's time, after a review of the latest data.

Boris Johnson is expected to host a news conference at 17:00 BST, which is expected to coincide with Health Secretary Sajid Javid making a statement to MPs.

Many of the remaining restrictions in England look set to be swept away.

But he's not expected to address self-isolation, the rules in schools, or travel restrictions.

Sajid Javid will update MPs on Covid-19 with a statement at 17:00 BST, the Commons Leader's office says.

The health secretary's statement is expected to coincide with a press conference led by the prime minister to set out plans for the final stage of England's roadmap out of lockdown on 19 July.

Do rising cases matter?published at 09:32 British Summer Time 5 July 2021

09:32 BST 5 July 2021

Nick Triggle
Health Correspondent

Back in March 2020, Boris Johnson talked about turning the tide on Covid in 12 weeks. More than 12 months on we are there - or at least we hope we are.

Cases are rising rapidly, but thanks to the vaccination programme the numbers ending up in hospital and dying are way below what they once were.

During the winter peak there was one death for every 60 infections. Now it is one per 1,000.

It means the benefits of restrictions are much, much lower than they once were.

But is this the right time to ditch them altogether? Some will argue it isn't, but others will say we have already gone too far in trying to suppress the virus.

What is certain is that before the summer is over many more people are going to be admitted to hospital and some will sadly die.

But some kind of surge as we left lockdown was always inevitable - the hope is the amount of immunity built up in the population will soon start to curb the rises.

Image source, Getty Images

A leading scientist has expressed concern about suggestions that wearing face masks in England will become voluntary, with a new focus on "personal responsibility".

Behavioural psychologist Prof Stephen Reicher, one of the scientists advising the government, tells BBC Breakfast: "Absolutely I agree that people have got to exercise responsibility – but not just personal responsibility, social responsibility.

"We’ve got to act in ways which keep ourselves safe, which keep our families safe, which keep our communities safe.”

He compares wearing masks to driving because it is "one of those areas where my freedom affects your freedom".

"My freedom to drive fast affects your safety. My freedom not to wear a mask affects your safety in terms of not getting Covid," he says.

“In areas like that we recognise we need some level of regulation.”

Image source, Getty Images

The NHS will “manage” with a rising number of Covid infections, says Prof Stephen Powis, national medical director of NHS England, adding that the health service is preparing itself to "learn to live with Covid".

He told BBC Breakfast: “The NHS deals with pressures all the time and there is no doubt that as hospital numbers rise over the next few weeks that we will have to manage that pressure.

"A&Es are busy again as life gets back to normal but we're well used to coping with pressures, we do it every year and every winter.

"So we are prepared and, as you have seen over the last 18 months of the pandemic, the NHS will manage."

He said he expects hospital admissions to rise “modestly over the next few weeks ” as cases continue to rise.

"We'll be keeping a very close eye on the data but at the moment things are look very good,” he said.

He added: "We will have to learn to live with Covid now and that is what the NHS is preparing to do."

Image source, Getty Images

It “makes no sense” to stop wearing face masks in enclosed public spaces, says the chairman of the British Medical Association, Dr Chaand Nagpaul.

He told Radio 4's today programme: “We know that face masks are proven to reduce spread of this infection if worn by everyone around you, including yourself.”

He says the BMA can’t understand why – at a time where there are “exceptional high levels of cases" – we would "knowingly want people to become infected”.

He asks why should people be exposed “against their will” to the virus when “it's so simple” for them to be protected “to a significant degree” by people wearing masks.

England is "on track" to relax Covid restrictions from 19 July and "restore more of people's freedoms", says health minister Helen Whately.

She told BBC Breakfast there had been a "weakening of the link" between cases and hospitalisations and it was now a case of "learning to live with Covid" and "shifting towards personal responsibility to keep self and others safe".

"The analogy with flu...we don't have lots of restrictions (in winter) even though we have a surge in flu."

She didn't want to be drawn on whether she would personally choose to continue wearing a mask in certain situations, but insisted she would "follow the guidance we will set out on when people should wear one".

She also declined to answer more specifically whether she'd wear a mask on public transport, for example, saying she wouldn't pre-empt the government guidance which would be published in a "matter of a few more hours".

She added: "There's no more I can say at the moment."

Boris Johnson's plans for lifting many of the remaining Covid restrictions in England - including making face coverings voluntary - is the lead for several of the papers.

According to the Daily Telegraph, external, ministers say this marks the moment when control of the pandemic switches from the state telling people what to do to the citizen "taking responsibility".

"Freedom is in your hands now" is the Daily Mail's headline, external.

But the Guardian reports, external that government scientific advisers are concerned such a move would unleash new "variant factories".

Image source, Getty Images

Boris Johnson is preparing to set out details of the final step of England's roadmap out of lockdown.

The PM is expected to announce the next steps on social distancing, face coverings and working from home, as well as on care home visits, during a No 10 news conference later.

Step four of the roadmap was delayed last month to no earlier than 19 July.

Johnson said as we "learn to live with this virus, we must... exercise judgement when going about our lives".

Some scientists are urging caution while case numbers from the Delta variant are still rising.

Labour's shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth urged the government to confirm "what level of mortality and cases of long Covid" it considers acceptable.

Read the full story here.