Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of making masks voluntary on public transport and in shops on the (a) covid-19 r rate, (b) number of hospitalisations from covid-19 and (c) number of deaths from covid-19.

Vaccines have significantly impacted upon the relationship between increased infections and hospitalisations and deaths. By 19 July, all adults will have been offered a first dose of the vaccine, a second dose to those over 40 years old who a first dose by mid-May. This will suppress the spread of COVID-19 and help prevent hospitalisation.

We will continue to encourage the wearing of face coverings and highlight that wearing a face covering may still help to reduce risk of transmission, for example where people come into contact with others in enclosed and crowded indoor spaces. Emerging evidence and data is continually monitored and reviewed, and the guidance will be amended accordingly if needed.