England: which Covid-19 rules should end on 21 June?

Debate is currently rife in England as to how the government should handle the easing of Covid restrictions in the country planned for 21 June. The prime minister has signalled openness to a delay of the initial proposal, but for fairly large shares of the public, the time is up for some of the curbs previously imposed.

According to a recent survey by YouGov, top of this list is the 'rule of six', which restricts the number of people that are permitted to gather together indoors, with a slight majority (51 percent) saying this should come to an end on 21 June. Government advice to work from home where possible, limits on big sporting and entertainment events as well as social distancing rules in pubs and restaurants all attracted roughly a third of respondents. Far less popular for the axe though was the need to wear masks in shops and public transport. Only 22 percent said this rule should be scrapped, and 71 percent said it should remain in place for longer.