A MAJORITY of the UK public do not agree with Boris Johnson's plan to lift Covid restrictions, while support for the UK Government's handling of the pandemic is at its lowest point since February, new research has shown.
The UK Prime Minister is expected to announce on Monday (July 12) that all legal coronavirus restrictions will be lifted in England from July 19.
Opinium polled 2001 UK adults from July 8 to 9 on issues including the general lifting of restrictions, face masks and the NHS Covid app.
READ MORE: Boris Johnson: Covid rules including masks to be lifted in England by July 19
The results found that half (50%) of respondents think the lifting of coronavirus restrictions in England should be postponed beyond July 19. This is compared to a third (31%) who want the plans to go ahead.
Some 10% of those surveyed think restrictions should have been lifted sooner.
More than half want to retain post-July restrictions on large events (53%), nightclubs (51%) and keep a maximum of 30 people on anything indoors (50%).
The approval rating for how the UK Government is handling Covid is at its lowest since February, down to net -6%.
READ MORE: Expert says mask-wearing is 'extremely valuable' as Tory minister to ditch his
Across the board, people generally think mask-wearing should continue to be compulsory after most rules are lifted in England, particularly on public transport where three quarters (73%) think masks should continue to be mandatory.
Some 40% of those who want masks to stay think they should continue being mandatory until everyone is vaccinated.
In Scotland, it is expected that people will be asked to continue wearing masks after August 9 when it is hoped Covid restrictions will be relaxed north of the Border.
Nicola Sturgeon will set out details about the easing of restrictions in Scotland on Tuesday. She said it is "probable" that masks will remain beyond August 9.
READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon: 'Probable' that Scots will need to wear masks after August 9
A majority of those surveyed by Opinium (58%) do not have the NHS Covid app, including one in 10 who have downloaded it before but have since deleted it. The most common reason for deletion is thinking it doesn't work well enough (50%) while a quarter did so to avoid being told to self-isolate.
Adam Drummond, head of political polling at Opinium, said: “While certain events on Sunday may push it out of the headlines, Monday will see Boris Johnson announcing the Government’s decision on whether to press ahead with the easing of coronavirus restrictions on July 19th.
"As they have throughout the pandemic, the public are taking a safety-first approach with a majority (50%) believing unlocking should be postponed beyond the 19th. The vast majority (73%) support face masks continuing to be mandatory on public transport and in shops (68%) and supermarkets (66%) and most say they will continue to wear them regardless of whether they are mandatory or not.”
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