If you're just joining our coverage, here's a round-up of the day's top coronavirus stories:

• Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged caution as most legal restrictions on social contact are lifted in England. There are now no limits on how many people can meet or attend events; nightclubs reopened at midnight; and table service will not be necessary in pubs and restaurants
• Scotland has moved to its lowest level of Covid restrictions as it continues on its roadmap out of lockdown. The move to level zero means more people will be allowed to meet indoors and attend weddings and funerals
• Experts have recommended that a limited group of children should be offered Covid jabs to protect them against the pandemic ahead of winter. The group includes children who are almost 18, vulnerable to Covid or who live with people who were clinically vulnerable
• Iceland and Greene King are among the businesses to say they have had to shut shops and pubs due to staff shortages caused by people being forced to self-isolate by the NHS Covid app
• Controversial British commentator Katie Hopkins will be deported from Australia for bragging about flouting hotel quarantine rules. Ms Hopkins - who has often drawn anger for racist remarks - had entered the country to star in TV show Big Brother Australia
• And finally, two vaccination centres have been ransacked in France amid protests over the government's introduction of tougher coronavirus rules

Chris Ewokor
BBC News, Abuja

Image source, Getty Images

Nigeria has placed its capital Abuja and six other states on high alert following the emergence of the Delta variant of coronavirus in the country.

A committee advising the government raised concerns at the weekend over a rise in the number of new cases and hospital admissions.

The two most populous states in the country, Kano and Lagos, are among the six places with "worrisome early signs of the third wave of the pandemic", the committee said.

The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control said 203 new Covid-19 cases were recorded on Sunday.

So far nearly 170,000 cases have been confirmed, with 2,127 deaths.

Harry Low
BBC News

The latest rule changes mean passengers at some stations in London require face coverings for the services run by Transport for London (TfL), but not on other operators' trains.

I went to speak to commuters at Farringdon station, where travelling on the Tube requires a mask while getting on the Thameslink doesn't.

Alex Ferrara, 24, a jeweller, wasn't aware of the new rules which he branded "crazy" and "terrible".

He said: "You're like five metres away from the platform. It doesn't really make any sense.

"Either you don't wear a mask on either train or you wear a mask on both trains."

Natalie Ross says: "I think masks should be mandatory indoors on all public transport for a lot longer. This isn't going away.

"I think people are bored of the situation so I don't think everyone will listen to the rules... not at night when people are a bit drunk and they've been at bars.

"I'll let you know when I come home tonight now the rules have changed."

You can read reactions from other passengers here.

Image source, PA Media

Transport for London, which runs the capital's Tube network, says some of its services are experiencing disruption due to staff shortages brought on by NHS contact tracing.

“The current Test and Trace rules on self-isolation have led to vital control room staff being unable to come to work, causing disruption on some Tube lines," a spokesman says.

On the subject of taking part in a pilot scheme - mentioned by the PM yesterday - that would allow fully vaccinated staff to replace isolation with daily tests, TfL says it is waiting for the go-ahead from government.

“We have been part of a limited location-based trial at two sites," the spokesman adds.

"However, the government has indicated that we could be part of a new trial whereby daily tests for staff in critical roles who have been double vaccinated would replace the need for self-isolation.

"We are waiting for formal notification from them that we are part of this trial so that we can brief our trade unions and put this into effect.”

Dominic Casciani
Home and Legal Correspondent

The general Covid restrictions have been lifted - but it's not exactly straight-forward in the workplace.

That's because all employers in England must still comply with their significant legal duties to make sure they are operating a safe environment.

The Health and Safety Executive - the agency that overseas the laws governing workplace safety - has updated its guidance this morning, external. It underlines that employers must still "control the risks" and carry out risk assessments.

What does this mean in practice? Well, while face coverings are not legally-required as personal protective equipment in the workplace, the HSE says employers must still show they're taking steps to ensure there is adequate ventilation, sufficient cleaning and measures for good hand hygiene.

Employers can't do away with these counter-Covid measures just because the general public restrictions have gone. If they did, they could end up in court.

Do you have Covid questions?published at 11:55 British Summer Time 19 July 2021

11:55 BST 19 July 2021

Do you have a question about masks, today's rule changes, vaccinations, or the impact on businesses?

If so, we'll aim to get one of our correspondents to answer it live on Facebook at 13:30 BST.

You'll be able to watch the Q&A live on this page later. And if you have a question, you can:

• Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
• WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803
• Tweet: @BBC_HaveYourSay, external

Answering your questions will be Vicki Young, the BBC's deputy political editor, Michelle Roberts, health editor for BBC News online, and Colletta Smith, our consumer affairs correspondent.

Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy.

Image source, AFP

Rising infection rates are dashing hopes that Mediterranean tourism magnets could see a big recovery this summer.

• Cyprus is introducing a “safe pass” from Tuesday, for entry to many shops, restaurants and various other facilities. It means only those with proof they have been vaccinated or tested negative will be allowed in. But violence broke out when thousands protested against it on Sunday night in the capital Nicosia. Some protesters vandalised cars outside a TV station – Sigma – perceived as particularly tough on anti-vaxxers. New daily infections in Cyprus have risen above 1,000 for the first time in the pandemic
• French plans for a similar health pass are meeting much opposition too. President Emmanuel Macron’s bill – not yet law - will also require healthcare workers to be fully vaccinated. More than 100,000 protested against it in Paris and other cities on Saturday. France has not ruled out reimposing curfew measures as its infection rate has surged again: there are Covid hotspots in the south, hugely popular among tourists. For three days the number of new cases has been above 10,000
• One of Greece’s most popular holiday islands – Mykonos – has imposed a night curfew to tackle a rise in Covid cases. It is a party island especially popular among the rich – but at the weekend the music and dancing stopped. Tourists interviewed by Reuters were bitterly disappointed
• In Poland, nearly 50% of the population has had at least one vaccine dose, but Our World in Data reports that the vaccination rate is now declining there. So the government is considering selling millions of doses to some other countries – doses already delivered to Poland. Otherwise they will expire. Ukraine and Georgia have reportedly expressed interest in receiving them.

Image source, Getty Images

The Republic of Ireland has relaxed its Covid-19 restrictions on international travel, meaning most fully vaccinated people no longer need to self-isolate on arrival.

Ireland today started using the EU Digital Covid Certificate , externalsystem, which is already in operation across the European Union.

It provides users with digital proof of vaccine jabs, negative test results or recovery from Covid-19 infection.

Self-isolation and travel-related testing are also no longer necessary for people arriving into the Republic of Ireland from outside the EU - including the UK - so long as they can provide valid proof of vaccination or valid proof that they have recovered from Covid-19 in the past 180 days.

The vaccines used must be among those approved by the European Medicines Agency.

Read more on this story here.

Five Democratic politicians who were among a group that left the US state of Texas last week in an effort to prevent Republicans there from passing a law have tested positive for Covid-19.

Texas Representative Trey Martinez Fischer said on Sunday that he had tested positive following a rapid antigen test.

Of the four other Democrats confirmed by the Texas House Democratic Caucus to have received a positive test result over the weekend, only Celia Israel has come forward, while the others have not yet been named.

All are reported to have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

More than 50 Democrats flew to Washington DC from Austin on two private jets last Monday in an attempt to stop a sweeping new voting law.

The caucus said its members were "feeling good" with a couple reporting mild symptoms. It added that daily rapid tests would be provided for all members of staff.

Meanwhile, the US is seeing a levelling-off of vaccination rates amid a concerning increase in Covid-19 cases.

US President Joe Biden has warned that the spread of Covid-19 misinformation on social media is "killing people".

Biden failed to meet a self-set target of 70% of adults vaccinated by the 4 July holiday weekend. About 68% of Americans aged 18 and older have now received at least one shot.

Covid-19 is continuing to spread around the world, with more than 190 million confirmed cases and over four million deaths reported across nearly 200 countries.

The UK and other European countries are seeing a rise in cases, driven largely by the Delta variant of the virus.

Russia is currently reporting more than 20,000 new cases every day and more than 700 deaths - its highest daily death figures since the pandemic began.

Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands and Greece are among the other countries seeing an increase in cases, as the chart below shows.

India and some other countries across Asia are also reporting a surge in cases.

As we've been hearing, the prime minister is self-isolating after being in contact with the health secretary, who has tested positive for Covid.

BBC Radio 4's Today programme asked the vaccines minister, Nadhim Zahawi, to explain why the country had to wait until 16 August for the ending of quarantine for fully vaccinated contacts of people with Covid.

Boris Johnson has had coronavirus and both vaccinations.

Zahawi says: "Today we are announcing that frontline NHS and social care staff who are double-vaccinated and test negative with a PCR test can return to work safely."

He says waiting until 16 August for the rest of us is "an important precautionary measure" to allow over-18s to get their second jabs.

"By 16 August we will have protected more and more of that generation, they could be teachers, young parents and others who can then return to work safely," he says.

"There are no easy decisions but this is the clinical advice."

He said it was "difficult to get data" on how many people had deleted the NHS app, because "some people can wipe it, get a new phone, upload it again."

Image source, Getty Images

With social distancing restrictions ending in England and easing further in Scotland today, good ventilation will remain very important in avoiding Covid.

For months we've been told to wash our hands and maintain social distancing to beat the virus.

But scientists and engineers say we also need to think about the air we breathe inside buildings.

So how can we avoid catching Covid indoors? BBC science editor David Shukman offers these five handy tips.

We've been hearing from the vaccines minister this morning and he's denied the government has taken the public for "fools", following the prime minister's U-turn on self-isolating.

He was asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme why Downing Street had inititially announced the prime minister and chancellor would take part in a daily testing pilot rather than self-isolate after being identified as contacts of the health secretary, who had Covid.

He said: "The prime minster yesterday talked about considering it and then very quickly realised the right thing to do was self-isolate because it sends a very powerful message to everyone."

"I think the prime minister did consider exactly that message to the country, we should all come together, [take] Step 4 cautiously, getting back to as close to normal as possible."

Asked if the government would be seen by some as taking people for fools, he said: "No-one is taking anyone for fools. Every decision the prime minister has had to make throughout this pandemic has been a tough decision - there are no easy options here."

Zahawi says: "Anyone who has come into contact with the health secretary, whether cabinet minister or civil servants who have been contacted by NHS Track and Trace are isolating and following the rules."

He confirmed that the Cabinet Office and No 10 will "no longer be on the pilot scheme".

Image source, AFP

France now insists that any non-vaccinated visitor from the UK and five EU countries must show evidence of a negative Covid test taken in the past 24 hours. Those five countries are: Cyprus, Greece, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. Previously the requirement was 48 hours for the UK and 72 hours for the others.

Those fully vaccinated, with proof of jabs approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), are exempt from that Covid test rule. Seven days is now the minimum period allowed since the visitor’s second jab, not 14 days.

The UK has put France on its amber list and now requires arrivals from there to quarantine for 10 days, even if fully vaccinated - a much-criticised move, as it affects many holidaymakers.

France has expanded its red list of high-risk countries to 28, including Cuba, Indonesia and Tunisia. Only essential travel is permitted for visitors from red countries.

In the past week 37 French departments (regions) have recorded infection rates above the alert threshold of 50 cases per 100,000 people. Previously it was 12 departments. Tourism hotspots are among those with the highest rates: Pyrénées-Orientales in the south-west has nearly 300 per 100,000; Alpes-Maritimes – the area around Nice – has 134; and the national rate is 63.

The spread is blamed on the Delta variant. In Covid hotspots, bars and restaurants are closing again at 11pm and masks are compulsory in public spaces, BFMTV reports.

On Sunday, France reported more than 12,500 new coronavirus cases – above 10,000 for a third day. Yet the day before, Paris and other cities saw huge anti-vaxx protests, and two vaccination centres were vandalised.

More than 100,000 marched against President Emmanuel Macron’s new Covid bill, which will make vaccination compulsory for healthcare workers and require health passes for access to most public places, to be introduced next month. The passes will show the holder has been jabbed, or had a recent negative test.

Michelle Roberts
Health editor, BBC News online

Guidance for people in England identified as being "clinically extremely vulnerable" has been updated - but what has actually changed?

The government says people considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable should follow the same guidance as everyone else.

However, if you are at higher risk of becoming ill, it says you may wish to "think particularly carefully" about taking extra precautions when meeting others you do not usually meet, including:

• limiting moments of close contact
• considering whether you and others have been fully vaccinated (you might want to wait until 14 days after your second dose before meeting)
• considering the risk if Covid levels are high in the general community
• meeting outside if possible
• ensuring inside spaces are well-ventilated
• washing hands regularly and avoiding face-touching
• continuing social distancing if that feels right for you
• asking friends/family to take lateral flow tests before meeting

There is similar but separate official advice for people who have been shielding in Scotland, external, Wales, external and Northern Ireland, external.

You can read more from Michelle here.

Image source, PA Media

The lifting of almost all restrictions in England today is a mistake, a scientist advising the government has warned, saying not enough people have been vaccinated.

Prof Robert West, a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Behaviours (Spi-B), which is part of Sage, tells Times Radio: "The extent to which we had already opened up, as we saw, is leading to a very rapid increase in cases.

"I think it would be a mistake to do it before we have got more people vaccinated.

"We are putting all the emphasis on the vaccine to protect us. That was always going to be unwise."

Prof West adds that government predictions of 100,000 cases a day over the summer are "optimistic".

"We could be seeing maybe even double that," he says.

On hospital admissions, he adds: "We don't know where it's going to end. We have always taken action to get it down and this time it looks like the government decided it's not going to do that."

Image source, Naomi

The number of children registered for home education in the UK rose by 75% in the first eight months of this school year, according to BBC research.

Some parents and councils say the increase is down to "Covid anxiety".

Naomi, from Kent, says the pandemic "accelerated the decision" to remove daughter Bella, now nine, from school in early March 2020.

"We were nervous about taking that massive leap because it was the unknown," she says. "Covid gave us a push, but that's not why we did it."

Naomi says Bella, who is awaiting a formal autism diagnosis, was struggling in school but thrived once at home.

"We wouldn't [otherwise] have had that break in school. I felt duty-bound to send her in, but because she wasn't there, you could see how happy she was."

The Department for Education says it supports home-educating parents and plans to launch a registration system.

You can hear from other parents who home-school their children here.

Image source, Getty Images

We've got more on the JCVI recommendation that a limited group of children should be offered Covid jabs to protect them against the pandemic ahead of winter.

If accepted, the new recommendations would extend eligibility to healthy teenagers who are within three months of their 18th birthday, as well as younger vulnerable children and those living with vulnerable adults.

Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi says MPs will consider the JCVI advice this morning and he will make a statement in parliament later.

Zahawi says there is "good data from America" on giving a first dose to healthy children, but there was a gap in data until those same children got their second dose, so the JCVI was keeping the issue under review.

He says there is concern about very rare cases of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle that has been seen in younger people. We've got more on this story here.

As we've been reporting, almost all coronavirus restrictions in England have come to an end today.

Despite concerns from scientists, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi says the rule easing is "the right thing to do".

He adds that with schools going on summer holidays and increasing vaccination levels, it is the right time to "cautiously proceed".

Where are we with cases now?published at 10:02 British Summer Time 19 July 2021

10:02 BST 19 July 2021

Robert Cuffe
BBC head of statistics

As England starts to live without lockdown rules, we’ve reached case numbers last seen over Christmas, but the hospital numbers look more like last October.

Cases and admissions are doubling roughly every fortnight in the UK at the moment. The epidemic is undoubtedly growing.

The last time we saw 45,000 cases a day in the UK, with numbers still rising, was over the Christmas break, just before a lockdown was announced.

But the number of people in hospital is nowhere near the levels from that time – more like the levels we saw in Autumn last year.

So the effects of the virus are very different this time round. But as cases continue to rise, so too, eventually, will the pressure on hospitals.

The big unknown is how far these rises will go before the virus runs out of plentiful uninfected or unvaccinated people to infect and so slows down or goes into reverse.

The modellers advising government believe we needn’t reach the terrible peaks of last winter but can’t rule out a very nervy few months.

Find out how cases have been changing where you live on our postcode checker