Mask-wearing across the UK has fallen to its lowest level in two years and one in eight Brits admit they’ve never taken a Covid test, a new poll has revealed.
Almost half of the YouGov respondents feared the Covid-19 situation was worsening in the UK (45 per cent), as cases continue to stagnate, while deaths and hospitalisations creep up.
Less than a third of Brits aged 18 to 24 admit they still wear masks in public places, while those aged 65 and above are the age group most likely to do so (60 per cent).
With most people (58 per cent) self-testing using a lateral flow within the last month, around one in eight Brits (13 per cent) say they have never taken one.
It comes as Health Secretary Sajid Javid said workers with Covid symptoms will no longer need to take a test from tomorrow as England continues its post-pandemic return to normalcy.
Rather than get a lateral flow or PCR test, those with symptoms such as a high temperature and a cough will be advised to stay at home.
Free testing provisions will be scrapped for millions from Friday, and replaced with lateral flow test offers from pharmacies across Britain.
Less than a third of Brits aged 18 to 24 admit they still wear masks in public places, while those aged 65 and above are the age group most likely to do so (60 per cent)
Health Secretary Sajid Javid (above) said workers with Covid symptoms will no longer need to take a test from tomorrow as England continues its post-pandemic return to normalcy
Eight in ten respondents (81 per cent) said they would take a lateral flow test if they thought they might have COVID-19 symptoms with around one in eight (13 per cent) saying that they would not.
But new advice from the Department for Health and Social Care suggests those with symptoms of a respiratory infection and a high temperature, or those who feel unwell, stay at home and still get a test.
The guidance, issued by Health Secretary Sajid Javid, is part of the Government’s new plan to treat Covid like other respiratory illnesses.
Mr Javid said: ‘Thanks to our plan to tackle Covid we are leading the way in learning to live with the virus.
‘We have made enormous progress but will keep the ability to respond to future threats including potential variants.
‘Vaccines remain our best defence and we are now offering spring boosters to the elderly, care home residents and the most vulnerable.’
People with symptoms and those who have tested positive are urged to wear a mask, avoid close contact with vulnerable people and swerve crowded areas if they must leave home.
But hospitals and care home patients and staff will still be able to request free Covid tests, as will those at risk of serious illness. Others must pay.
Most visitors to care homes, hospitals and prisons will no longer have to take a test.
Experts have repeatedly called on ministers not to end the universal swabbing offer, warning it will leave them in the dark over major outbreaks in parts of the country.
SAGE has previously warned ending the scheme, which cost up to £2bn a month, would leave the country in the dark to a fresh wave and said poor people will be hit hardest.
Experts told said pushing through with the move could leave some of the most vulnerable people in society at risk.
Professor Denis Kinane, an immunologist and founding scientist at Cignpost Diagnostics, said: ‘I am concerned that the decision to end free tests from April 1 could leave some vulnerable groups at risk, particularly the immuno-suppressed.
‘This is worrying with the recent spike in case numbers and hospital admissions.’
