Latest covid rates in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire as government confirms restrictions to be removed
The government has confirmed that nearly all covid restrictions in England will be lifted next week as planned.
Social distancing and legal limits on gatherings will end but the use of domestic vaccine passports and face masks will be encouraged.
Cases in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire are rising in lots of areas with North East Lincolnshire having one of the highest rates in the country, 930 per 100,000, and has risen by 78% in the seven days to July 7.
Case rates are also high in Leeds, Barnsley, Doncaster, York and Wakefield - all have rates above 400 per 100,000 people.
The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 still remains much lower than it did in the winter peak.
Lockdown rules in England: What's changing from July 19
What has happened to social distancing and the rule of six?
What has happened to social distancing and the rule of six?
The 'one metre plus' rule has been scrapped entirely, as of July 19 in England. However, some guidance to maintain social distancing in certain situations will remain in place of the legal restrictions.
Social distancing guidance will continue if someone is Covid positive and self-isolating, or in airports, or other ports of entry, to avoid travellers arriving from amber or red-list countries mixing with those from green list areas.
Limits on social contact in England have disappeared, meaning the end of the rule of six indoors and the limit of 30 people for outdoor gatherings.
Do I still need to wear a face mask?
Do I still need to wear a face mask?
There is now no legal requirements to wear face coverings - but guidance still encourages using masks in some settings, including hospitals, healthcare settings and in crowded enclosed public spaces.
Has the working from home guidance changed?
Has the working from home guidance changed?
The guidance on working from home has gone. It's ultimately down to employers to decide whether to keep staff at home or in the office, but the government say employers are able to plan the return of staff to the workplace.
What about weddings and funerals?
What about weddings and funerals?
The current limits on numbers of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events has ended.
What's happening in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
What's happening in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
The changes to Covid rules announced by Boris Johnson, only impact England and will not change regulations in Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland.
The Welsh Government “would like to move together” with other parts of the UK in lifting coronavirus restrictions but will only do so if it is “right for Wales”, health minister Eluned Morgan said on Monday 5 July.
As of July 19, restrictions in Scotland have eased, with all areas of the country moving to level 0. The government is aiming to lift all major restrictions in Scotland by August 9.
In Northern Ireland, some significant restrictions have already been eased including allowing the resumption of live music and the lifting of caps on organised outdoor gatherings.
Sajid Javid told MPs: "We firmly believe that this is the right time to get our nation closer to normal life, so we will move to the next stage of our roadmap on July 19."
Mr Javid added: "Everyone should return to work gradually if they are currently working from home. They should try to meet people outside where that’s possible."
He said it was "expected and recommended" for people to wear face coverings, unless exempt, in crowded indoor spaces like pubs.
Mr Javid told MPs that the high case rates would not overwhelm the NHS because of the success of the vaccine programme.
However, the Director of Public Health for Sheffield, Greg Fell, said that he was concerned about how quickly cases could rise.