Coronavirus: When can we stop wearing face masks or coverings?

Reviews are considering how face-covering rules might change in future.

Cabinet Minister Robert Jenrick has hinted that all rules on mandatory mask-wearing could end in England on 19 July.

What are the reviews into face masks?

Reviews are assessing how and when a range of Covid measures might be lifted, including the need for face coverings.

The Social Distancing Review is one of four different UK Government studies into how Covid-19 should be handled from “summer onwards”.

Mask-use will also be considered by the other three reviews looking at:

• the introduction of so-called vaccine passports
• public event safety (also considering number limits at weddings and other life events)
• non-essential international travel

The Westminster government is working with counterparts in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on a UK-wide approach.

When will we know the findings?

Each review will inform ministers deciding when England’s final stage of lifting lockdown can happen.

It had been hoped remaining restrictions could be removed on 21 June, but they will remain in place until in England at least 19 July because of the Delta variant.

• What’s happening with the plan to end Covid restrictions?

Are face-covering rules likely to remain?

Ministers have hinted that face-covering rules could be lifted along with other restrictions on 19 July. Whether to wear a face-covering would become our “personal responsibility”.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has said “it does look as if the data is in the right place”.

The Scottish government has said there would be an “ongoing need” for masks.

Some people may opt to wear them, even if they are not compulsory.

But Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Environment Secretary George Eustice have both said they plan to stop wearing face coverings as soon as rules are relaxed.

Why should I wear a face covering?

Face coverings worn over the nose and mouth reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking.

The main purpose is to protect others from Covid, rather than yourself. If everyone wears one, the risks drop for all.

Masks can help to reduce virus spread from people who may be contagious but have no symptoms.

There is some evidence they offer protection to wearers, but are not a replacement for social distancing and hand-washing.

Cutting virus transmission is important because many people are still not yet fully vaccinated.

Also, some new virus variants appear more transmissible than earlier Covid strains.

What sort of face covering is best?

Make sure it:

• has a nose wire
• has at least two/three layers of material
• fits snugly over mouth, nose and chin (tie knots in the ear loops of surgical masks if necessary)

The highest level of protection is provided by FFP3 (or similar) masks worn by healthcare workers in high risk settings.

Trained staff need to fit them correctly. They are worn in conjunction with other personal protective equipment (gloves, aprons, eye protection).

A recent study by Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust found FFP3 masks provided up to 100% protection against Covid.

Staff wearing standard issue surgical masks, as recommended in official guidance for most situations, were much more likely to catch the virus.

Members of the public can buy FFP3 masks, but they won’t provide the highest protection unless fitted correctly.

Where do I need to wear a face covering?

You could be fined if you refuse to wear one in many public places in England, including public transport and shops.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have similar rules.

• In England, secondary school pupils no longer have to wear face coverings, although schools may insist they do
• In Scotland, high school staff and pupils should wear face coverings in classrooms, communal areas and corridors
• In Wales, face coverings are recommended in secondary schools when social distancing is unlikely to be maintained
• In Northern Ireland, face coverings must be worn in post-primary schools and on public and school transport

Police can issue £200 fines England and Northern Ireland, or £60 in Scotland and Wales.

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Remittance fees highest to Sub Saharan Africa

 It costs more to send money to Sub Saharan Africa than to anywhere in the world according to a World Bank report on Migration and Development.

Sending $200 to the region costs 8.2% as compared to the next highest region of East Asia and Pacific, which is 6.9%. The lowest cost of sending that same $200 is 4.9% to South Asia.

The rest are 5.6% to Latin America and the Caribbean, 6.4% to Europe and Central Asia, and 6.6% to Middle East and North Africa.

Experts believe there are two factors influencing the rates. the first one is the volume of remittances. Sub Saharan Africa receives the lowest volume of remittances at $42bilion in 2020.

In contrast, South Asia receives the highest volume of remittances at $147billion in 2020 with the lowest fees at 4.9% to send $200.

East Asia and Pacific has the next highest volume at $136billion. Yet at 6.9%, it cost the next highest fees to send $200 to that region.

Next to volume of remittances, perhaps the most influential factor is the cost of doing business in the particular region. Setting up the financial logistics costs more in developing countries due to a combination of governments’ penchant to tax these services, and what has become known in developing countries as “facilitation’ aka bribes.

Sub Sahara Africa may need to increase her volume of remittances in order to be able to mount a credible argument for lowered fees.

DNT News.

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PR EXPRESSES REGRET AT THE DEATH OF THE FORMER OMBUDSMAN

 Luanda - The Angolan Head of State, João Lourenço, expressed his regret at the death of the former Ombudsman, Carlos Alberto Ferreira Pinto, on Friday, due to illness.

“With much regret, I learned of the death of Dr. Carlos Alberto Ferreira Pinto, former Ombudsman, functions that he exercised with zeal, in the last three years, after relevant services rendered at the level of the MPLA's governing bodies”, wrote the President Republic in a note of condolence posted on its Facebook page.

João Lourenço states that, invested in his role as Ombudsman, Carlos Aberto Ferreira Pinto has contributed in a meritorious way to put justice at the service of citizens and raise their awareness of citizenship.

The President considers the death of Carlos Ferreira Pinto an irreparable loss, which leaves his family, friends and professional colleagues desolate, to whom he offered his deepest and most sincere condolences.

In the first quarter of this year, Ferreira Pinto withdrew from public life at his request.