WITH most legal restrictions on social contact being lifted in England, we visited a supermarket on Sutton High Street to see whether people were still following restrictions.

On July 19, the government announced that face coverings will be recommended in certain spaces, but not required by law.

Following the restriction lift, we decided to see whether people were continuing to follow the 'new normal' or whether they bounced back to how things were before Covid-19.

On Wednesday morning (July 21), we visited Morrisons and found that the majority of shoppers were still wearing face coverings in store.

We counted 76 people to be wearing face coverings (not including staff), with a mere few who could be found without.

All staff seen by Sutton Guardian, could be seen wearing a face mask.

There appeared to be no difference to what supermarkets looked like prior to the restriction lift on July 19.

It comes after a survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics, revealed that a 90% of adults continued to feel that wearing a face covering and social distancing from others outside of their bubble (88%) are important in slowing the spread of Covid-19.

More than half (57%) of adults in Great Britain, surveyed between July 7 and 11, 2021, said they were worried about the plan to remove legal restrictions.

This included one-fifth (20%) who were "very worried".

The percentage that believes normal life is a year or more away was 28%, slightly more than the 25% who believed this a year ago, between July 8 and 12, 2020.

But down from the peak of 41% who thought so between September 16 and 20, 2020.

Earlier this week, Paul Scully, Business Minister and MP for Sutton and Cheam, thanked residents and local businesses for their "incredible efforts" to adapt to Covid-19.

“The government hasn’t wanted to mandate what people can and can’t do for a moment longer than necessary, " he said.

"And that’s why this week we’re pleased legal restrictions are coming to an end thanks to the success of the vaccine programme and the hard work of people across the country.

“It’s important – as has always been the case – that we exercise our caution, common sense and personal responsibility.
 

"That’s why I encourage everyone to get vaccinated – including that crucial second dose.” 

Have you continued to wear a face covering following the lift of restrictions? Tell us below in the comment section.