Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for caution as most legal restrictions on social contact in England are lifted. There is now no limit to how many people can meet or attend events, nightclubs reopen at midnight and table service is not required in pubs and restaurants.
Face coverings are recommended in some spaces, but are not required by law.
The prime minister, the chancellor and the health secretary are isolating and there are warnings that cases will increase.
Some scientists predict that infections in the UK – currently around 50,000 a day – could reach 200,000 a day later in the summer.
But with more than 68% of UK adults fully vaccinated, hospital admissions, serious illnesses and deaths due to Covid-19 will be at a lower level than in previous peaks.
In a video posted on Twitter on Sunday afternoon, the prime minister said it was the ‘right moment’ to get to the final stage of England’s roadmap from the lock.
“If we do not do it now, we must ask ourselves, when will we ever do it?” he asked, adding that the virus would have the “advantage of cold weather” in the fall and winter.
“But we have to do it carefully. We have to remember that this virus is unfortunately still there. Cases are increasing, we can see the extreme contagion of the Delta variant.”
Jonathan Ashworth, secretary of health care for the shadows, said the termination of the legal mask requirements and the recommendation to work from home was ‘reckless’ and warned against a ‘day of chaos’ on the transport network as people went to months return to offices.
“The last thing we want on a day like this is chaos and the need to undermine social health measures,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
As restrictions in England ease, businesses such as nightclubs – and big events – will be encouraged to use the NHS Covid Pass to make sure people are fully vaccinated, have a natural immunity to infection or have a recent negative test undergo.
At Fiber in Leeds, these checks are not used. While some club goers said they were a little nervous, most were happy to return to the dance floor.