Probably data like this is shaping their decision.

"The spread of Delta has led the U.K. government to postpone by a month the ending of Covid restrictions until July 19. But ministers are increasingly confident that the unlocking will take place as planned because vaccinations have broken the lockstep between new cases, later hospitalizations and deaths.Data from Public Health England show that there were 117 deaths among 92,000 Delta cases logged through June 21. Fifty of those—46%—had received two shots of vaccine.

But rather than suggest Delta is displaying a worrying ability to evade the vaccine and cause severe illness, scientists say those figures support the shots’ effectiveness."

.....

"The data show that, overall, the fatality rate for confirmed cases of Covid-19 has been lower than it was with the Alpha variant, which was first spotted in the U.K. late last year and has since spread around the world. Public Health England pegged the fatality rate for Alpha at 1.9%. It estimates the fatality rate for Delta is closer to 0.3%, which scientists say reflects both mass vaccination and improved treatment for Covid-19. And the vaccine also reduces the chances of catching the virus at all."

Some Vaccinated People Are Dying of Covid-19. Here’s Why Scientists Aren’t Surprised.

It seems pretty clear, as of now that "freedom day" or "terminus day" will bring about freedoms to everyone except travellers. Most media outlets are reporting that (a) the PM will announce the changes tonight but travel will not even be discussed; and (b) the double-jabbed won't be allowed to skip quarantine from the 19th of July - it seems like it'll be sometime in August.

This IMO is ridiculous because as usual, travel is left behind and there is no reason apart from politics now that this is occurring.

What happened to the July 26 date for the double jab quarantine skip?

That was just a media speculation.

They may be ending the social distancing and mask mandates but I still want my personal space respected. Get too close and there might be cross words.

Blargh. Was hoping that stuck as I arrive back that day from my next ex-UK trip.

Or sudoku? I prefer that. :)

Would it be expected that trains and planes (specifically BA) allow masks to be optional after July 19 or keep the rules in place?

The unions are complaining about the prospect of unmasked people on trains. As for planes, who knows. But I am guessing they would need to comply with the rules at the origin and destination.

And that of the carrier too, they can have the rules they want (within reason of course). If BA decided you need to wear a mask, you'd have little choice but to wear one or choose another airline.

The problem with making face coverings optional in the midst of a pandemic is that they are worn primarily to protect other people from the wearer rather than the wearer himself. Similarly, if maintaining social distance is optional then we have no control over how close other people get to us.

There is a clear correlation between refusing to wear a face covering or observe other restrictions and refusing to get vaccinated. Thus, allowing people not to wear a face covering and get too close to us puts us all at risk.

While I am looking forward immensely to a time without restrictions, I am of the opinion that lifting restrictions now while the infection rate is sky-high and climbing is gross negligence verging on criminal. I only hope that the government's ideological opposition to sensible public health measures crumbles under the weight of expert medical and scientific opinion.

That may be true now, but that is because they are mandatory. Once they become optional I doubt that will hold with quite a few people who have had no vaccine hesitancy or to follow the rules. In fact include myself in this, and I can categorically say I have no vaccine hesitancy at all. I have worn my mask without complaint now for over a year wherever it has been mandatory to do so. When they become optional, I shall be deciding to choose not to wear it anymore. The point of masks being optional is that the individual can choose, and not be bullied in to wearing them by those who choose to continue wearing them. Let people make a choice for themselves please, and please respect them for their choice even though you may choose to continue wearing yours.

Well reading the Science Media center the opinions are diverging, weirdly I have to say as this is a no brainer.
On the other hand, the pseudo scientists, smiley-flower brigades and BA pilots are delighted and praising the new health minister.

You can imagine the news headlines: "I had to spend my whole holiday in quarantine because I caught COVID on a BA plane full of people with no masks"

you know all of those ridiculous fights and arguments in the US about masks on planes? i wonder/fear a more muted version of that may be on its way here next if masks are scrapped for transport at least.

the poor FAs may have a new fight on their hands in the event the UK drops a requirement for transport, but the airlines or trains prefer to enact a rule. plus how ridiculous for the airlines to manage if say you have the destination country requiring masks, it will all become a hassle for them.