Mask in public places, telecommuting, visits to retirement homes… England lifted most of its restrictions on Thursday. RFI went to the business district of the City, where Londoners have not quite found the life before.
With our correspondent in London, Emeline Wine
Like many workers in the City, Mo was able to give up working from home this week. The young man is surprised by the few people in the streets. ” I expected there to be more people outside, he comments. Wednesday night was completely deserted. Maybe it’s the cold, I don’t know. »
However, at Urban Barrista, all the tables are occupied. But Andy expects the City, the financial and luxury shopping district, to not be as buzzing as before. “ Today is our best day since we opened in December, he explains. But the people I talk to tell me that, even if they come back to the office, their boss lets them work in a hybrid way: three days at home, two here, for example. »
Wearing a mask remains compulsory in transport
After ending a week ago the recommendation to work from home for those who can, England is now dropping other restrictions introduced in December in the face of the Omicron case surge : obligation to wear a mask indoors in public places and a vaccination passport for events with a large audience. The government further announced on Thursday that residents of nursing homes will be able to receive an unlimited number of visitors from Monday. The mayor of London Sadiq Khan has however announced that it will maintain the obligation to wear a mask on public transport in the capital. Some supermarket chains such as Sainsbury’s, Waitrose or Morrisons also ask their customers to do so.
For Craig, a security guard at a bank, the restrictions had to be lifted; they were no longer respected. ” People paid less and less attention during the pandemic, he says. Of course, there are still more people in transport this morning. And with us, the mask remains obligatory. »
Restaurants and stores may continue to ask customers to remain masked. The government appeals to common sense.
►Also read: Covid-19: despite a push from Omicron, Denmark lifts its health restrictions