Coronavirus UK news – live: Hope for foreign holidays for vaccinated Brits as mask-wearing ‘to end on 19 July’

Boris Johnson has given hope to Britons looking to holiday abroad this summer, saying that there is a “real opportunity to open up travel” this summer for those who are fully vaccinated.

The prime minister said: “I think that the real opportunity we all have now is to open up travel through the double jab. If you look at it we’ve got more than 60 per cent of our population have now had two jabs, I think 83 per cent have had one jab, we’re really getting through it now.

“The crucial thing is come forward and get your second jab.”

Meanwhile, George Eustice, the environment secretary, said that he will not wear a face mask once coronavirus regulations are lifted on 19 July.

“What we want to do on 19 July, and the prime minister said that the data looks good to be able to have that end, is to remove all of the legal restrictions,” the environment secretary told Sky News.

He said that the question of “whether some people might choose to wear masks” or whether face coverings may be advised in some settings is “a separate matter”.

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