RECAP: How Sunderland reacted to 'Freedom Day' and details of latest Downing Street press conference
Today, Monday, July 19, marks England’s ‘Freedom Day’ as further Covid restrictions across the country are lifted after more than a year.
After months of pandemic-related constraints, the country has finally reached the last step in the Government’s unlocking road map and we were there to bring you the latest from our city centre.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for caution as the country unlocks and led a press conference virtually this evening as he self-isolates following contact with Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who has Covid-19.
Today’s changes mean face masks are no longer mandatory in shops and on public transport, limits on gatherings have gone, the work from home guidance no longer applies and social distancing rules ended at one minute past midnight.
Nightclubs, theatres and restaurants can fully reopen, while pubs are no longer restricted to table service only.
Scroll down for a look at how the day unfolded: