'Plan B' restrictions were lifted in England today, with face coverings no longer a legal requirement in public spaces.
The change to Covid measures means it is no longer mandatory to wear a face covering in shops or on public transport.
However, signs advising people to continue wearing a face covering remained displayed in a number of shop windows on Northumberland Street in Newcastle today.
Go here for the latest news live from Newcastle city centre
And travellers were still advised to wear face coverings on public transport whilst travelling to and from the city.
While a number of people decided to ditch their face covering whilst out in town today, many others decided to continue wearing one.
ChronicleLive spoke to people in Newcastle city centre to see what they thought about the end of 'Plan B' restrictions.
Craig Ideson was visiting the city centre to meet a friend for lunch after receiving his booster jab.
The 23-year-old, from Wallsend, has opted to continue wearing his mask whilst in indoor public spaces.
Craig said: "I see my grandma a lot so I think it's safer for me to wear it when I'm out because I wouldn't want her to become unwell."
He added: "I'm surprised at how many people are still wearing them."
The changes came into play as figures revealed a rise in cases among school children in Newcastle and Gateshead.
One shopper, who asked to be referred to as Chris, also commented on how surprised he was to see so many people still opting to wear a face covering.
However Chris, who was taking his mum out for coffee, said he has decided not to wear a face covering following the easing of restrictions.
Chris, from North Shields, said: "It's given me a great sense of liberation and relief that I don't have to wear one now.
"It's down to personal choice now and I'm surprised to see so many people still wearing them. But I won't be wearing a face mask today."
Elsewhere on Northumberland Street, shopper Susan Charlton, from Hebburn, said: "I'll still be wearing my mask in shops and on the Metro because the virus could still be out there.
"I'm waiting for a while to see how things pan out, because you never know we could get a new variant."
Likewise, Paul McLaughlin, from North Tyneside, who was out shopping with his wife, said: "People still have a personal choice on whether they want to wear them and we're going to wear ours.
"But restrictions had to end sometime."
However, some people believe that it's currently too soon to end Covid restrictions.
Rachel Wade was outside Newcastle's Central Station before catching a train back home to Lincoln.
The healthcare worker, who travelled to the city for work, said: "I think we should have kept face masks for the time being.
"I've recently had Covid myself and despite being triple jabbed I was quite unwell with it, so I still think we've got to be taking measures to protect others.
The 50-year-old added: "I do agree with trying to save the economy, and getting rid of face masks might be an easy win.
"But while personal choice on whether you wear a face covering might be fine for some people, what happens if you are vulnerable to infection?
"I still think we need to be taking precautions to protect them."
Anne Rees was also outside Central Station, having travelled to the city to see her daughter and watch Strictly Come Dancing live at Newcastle's Utilita Arena.
Anne said she wasn't aware Plan B restrictions had been eased and wore her face covering throughout her journey from Luton.
The 62-year-old said: "I was nice and comfortable with my mask on so it doesn't bother me.
"I didn't notice how many people were wearing masks because I was too busy reading my book.
"But it's a personal choice whether someone wants to wear a mask and I think it should be down to the individual."
