Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce the scrapping of the legal requirement to wear face masks in some public places later today, almost exactly a year after they became mandatory in a number of settings across the UK. Face masks were first introduced for shops, pubs and transport in July 2020, but from next week Mr Johnson has said it will be a matter of "personal responsibility" from July 19 onward, while transport operators and places such as shops are likely to decide their own policy on the issue.
The changes only affect those living in England.
The decision has caused concern among medical experts and scientists.
Dr Mike Tildesley, from the University of Warwick and a member of the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling (Spi-M) group, said on Monday there had been "mixed messaging" over face masks from the Government, even in the last few days.
"I think it's quite confusing actually for people to know what the right thing to do is," he said.
"I think all that we can do is take a sort of appropriate approach where we look at the situation and sort of weigh up the risk ourselves and I hope that enough people do that going forward that we don't see a big surge."
Professor Peter Openshaw, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said it is vital to keep some protective measures in place, such as wearing face coverings.
He said: “I really don't see why people are reluctant to wear face coverings - it is quite clear that they do greatly reduce transmission.”
He added it is "more straightforward to try to get face masks used in dangerous situations if there is some kind of compulsion behind it".
Dr Sarah Clarke, an intensive care consultant in Blackburn and a board member of the UK's Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, said: "I would absolutely err on the side of extreme caution.
"I will continue to wear a mask at all times when I'm in an enclosed space, and I will to protect others and ensure that others stay as safe as possible."
Speaking about the changes coming on July 19, the Prime Minister said: "We are tantalisingly close to the final milestone in our road map out of lockdown, but the plan to restore our freedoms must come with a warning.
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"While the phenomenal vaccine rollout has offered every adult some protection against the virus, and the crucial link between cases, hospitalisations and deaths is weakened, the global pandemic is not over yet.
"Cases will rise as we unlock, so, as we confirm our plans today, our message will be clear.
"Caution is absolutely vital, and we must all take responsibility so we don't undo our progress, ensuring we continue to protect our NHS."
In Wales, masks must still be worn in taxis, on trains and buses, as well as health and social care settings when coronavirus restrictions are eased, the Welsh government said.
First Minister Mark Drakeford said: "We will need everyone's help to keep coronavirus under control as we continue to respond to the pandemic - this virus has quite certainly not gone away.
"We know many people are still worried and anxious about going out.
“We will maintain the requirement to wear face coverings in certain places - on public transport and health and social care settings, and others where necessary - to help keep us all safe."
Mr Drakeford is due to make a statement on Wednesday setting out further details on the new alert level zero for Wales.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is due to announce Scotland’s next steps out of lockdown on Tuesday, but has already described Mr Johnson's approach as "something of an exception", appearing to indicate she will not be adopting the same approach as Mr Johnson.