NEWTON Abbot’s MP has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement about lifting Covid restrictions on July 19.

MP Anne Marie Morris said: ‘I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement that we are to fully reopen as planned on July 19 and the certainty that it will bring.

‘The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for all of us and it’s great that we’re heading back to normality.

‘From the 19th, there will be a clear emphasis on exercising personal responsibility and, therefore, it is important that we all respect each other’s personal choice on whether to wear a mask or not in certain situations.

‘The biggest factor in suppressing the virus has been the fantastic vaccine rollout and it is critical that constituents attend their second jab appointment when invited to do so (if they haven’t already).’

Boris Johnson has announced he’s axing a string of laws on face masks, social distancing and pubs – while nightclubs and stadium gigs can open at full capacity.

Face masks, social distancing, those QR codes and ordering at a table in pubs will no longer be a legal requirement.

The PM has torn up a string of restrictions, allowing nightclubs to reopen after 16 months – and at full capacity.

Full-size stadium gigs and theatre shows will also be able to restart with no social distancing. Masks won’t be legally required in hospitals and care homes - or on public transport.

But with Covid cases soaring above 20,000 a day, this great unlocking is risky and will provoke a furious row. ‘We always said there would be a third wave’ said the PM - who claimed Britain could ‘turn the tide’in 12 weeks.