PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has set out his intention to end nearly all of England's remaining Covid restrictions in one fell swoop.

Mask wearing will no longer be a legal requirement under the plans, neither will social distancing in most cases, and nightclubs will be able to reopen.

Here is what we know so far about scrapping the mask wearing rule:

  • When do the changes come into force?

The Prime Minister promised to confirm next week when exactly that will take place based on the latest evidence at the time, but he has given every signal that it will go ahead on July 19 as planned.

  • What will happen to mask wearing?

In perhaps the most contentious point, Mr Johnson said he will abolish the rules meaning masks are mandatory for most people in places such as shops and on public transport.

He instead urged people to “exercise their personal responsibility but to remember the value of face coverings both in protecting themselves and others”.

Mr Johnson said there will be guidance to suggest people “might choose” to wear face coverings when cases are rising, or when coming into contact with strangers in enclosed places.

Officials suggested people who are particularly vulnerable to Covid-19 could travel on public transport at less busy times to reduce the risk to themselves.

Shops and transport providers may, however, still tell customers to wear masks but such a move would come with concerns of a threat to staff and of legal action.

How many people will continue to wear masks after the requirement ends remains unclear, with the Government not having modelled the scenario.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We will continue to look at the emerging evidence but we haven’t done a specific model on that.”

  • What do critics say?

London mayor Sadiq Khan is considering possibly instructing people using the capital’s public transport network to consider wearing masks.

“The wearing of face coverings on public transport helps to reduce the spread of Covid, and crucially gives Londoners confidence to travel on the network, which is vital to our economic recovery,” the senior Labour politician said.

  • Could restrictions return?

Mr Johnson knows he cannot rule this out, considering the potential for a vaccine-busting variant to emerge.

He said the Government would “retain contingency measures to help manage the virus during higher risk periods, such as the winter”.

Will you still wear a mask after July 19? Let us know by taking our poll below.