Masks will remain mandatory on London's public transport network after July 19, according to the city's mayor, as Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government plans to lift most Covid-19 restrictions from that date in England despite rising cases.

The public will be expected, rather than compelled by law, to wear masks in indoor enclosed spaces across the country from next week, as rules decided upon by the Conservative administration are eased.

But in the capital, operator Transport for London, which is chaired by Mayor Sadiq Khan from the Labour Party, will continue to require face coverings on buses, trains and other parts of the transit system to keep down infections, Reuters reports.