Readers will mainly continue to wear masks at some points after face mask enforcement is ditched, with the public soon to be left to make their own choice on wearing one.

The legal requirement to wear face masks will be lifted in England on “freedom day” – expected on July 19 – although guidance will suggest people might still choose to do so in crowded places.

Experts remained divided on the issue, but Health Secretary Sajid Javid said it marks a move towards individuals exercising personal responsibility rather than laws regulating how they live their lives during the pandemic.

While both the Health Secretary and the Prime Minister said they would carry a mask and wear one in crowded situations, there are fears that many people will just choose to not wear a mask and could contribute to the spread of Covid cases and potentially new dangerous variants.

In a Facebook post asking Watford Observer readers whether they will continue to wear a face mask past July 19, the majority appeared to be in support of wearing a mask, at least in certain settings.

However, there is likewise a vocal group of readers expressing that in most situations they will not wear one – if at all.

Many readers shared the need to be “responsible” and still cautiously wear one – at least during the beginning stages of restrictions being lifted.

Tony Charlton said: “I honestly cannot understand why anyone wouldn’t (wear a mask) for at least the short term. I suppose some people just don’t like the thought that they are being told / advised to do something.”

Martine Read wrote: “No matter what the rules change to from July 19th wearing a mask is going to be compulsory for me and I'm pretty sure it will continue for a while throughout our daily lives.

“It makes everyone feel safe, I understand it may not be everyone cup of tea having the mask tight against your nose 24/7 but it's better than spreading what maybe Covid.”

Watford Observer: Some readers suggested they would only wear a mask in certain situations, such as public transport (Photo: PA)Some readers suggested they would only wear a mask in certain situations, such as public transport (Photo: PA)

Other people suggested that while there are frustrations in wearing a mask, they may continue to wear one only in certain situations.

Alison Wall wrote: “Will wear one on public transport and in shops for now, but (I am) double vaxed and have antibodies, so hopefully that will protect me from any infection before the booster.”

Susan Hughes suggested she might wear a mask in certain conditions such as public transport, but other than that “probably not”.

Out of 257 comments, 28 people stated that they would explicitly not wear a mask in any circumstance – with some insinuating they never have during the pandemic or that they stopped ages ago.

18 commenters wrote that they would only wear a mask in certain conditions, including shops, public transport or if a person felt uncomfortable.

Kathryn Shorto said: “I won’t wear one unless the person I am talking to or visiting asks me to and out of courtesy then I will but otherwise won’t be wearing one.

“However, I would like to see social distancing still being adhered to somewhat and people respecting each other’s personal space and restaurants not going back to cramming people in with tables right upon each other etc. - that I will like to still see happen.”

The Health Secretary told Sky News: “For the foreseeable future I will be carrying a face mask with me, I think that’s a very responsible thing for anyone to do. As I have said, the pandemic is not over.

“If I’m in a crowded or enclosed space, I will wear a face mask. In fact I will wear one if I was next to someone or near someone that felt uncomfortable with others not wearing face masks.

“And that’s what I mean by personality responsibility.”