The return of indoor mixing sparked joyous reactions for many people this week – though some also revealed nerves about having to “relearn normality”.
Watford’s restaurants and leisure venues have been gleefully welcoming customers back as the latest step of the Government’s roadmap was given the green light.
Many people strolling around Watford town centre told the Observer they were delighted to have regained many of their freedoms, despite fresh concerns about new Covid variants.
March Oleksy, 44, who works in a school kitchen in Watford, said: “I think it’s fine, I myself am still taking precautions, but I think everyone needs to go back to normal.
“I don’t feel worried, if we use our common sense, keep distance, wear face masks when necessary, then it will be fine.”
Anne Highland, a retail advisor at Watford’s M&S, revealed she felt both nervous and happy.
“I eat out more here than anywhere else – Watford has more variety,” the 54-year-old said.
“Cassio Lounge have been fantastic, they make you feel so safe, as do a lot of places in Watford, we always come here.”
Lawyer Emina Hodzic, 32, added she could feel “a general buzz around the town, people are happy to have some freedom again”.
A UCL study monitoring the mental health of 90,000 adults during lockdown found levels of anxiety and depression fell in early June 2020 as restrictions began to lift.
Bushey resident Leah Smith, 34, explained that she had been having a terrible time in lockdown due to her schizophrenia, but being able to interact with others more now will help.
“I feel better socializing with other people – having some human contact,” she added.
But though many were glad to regain their freedoms, some also said the sudden shift away from months of restrictions was daunting.
Among them was Hannah, a 29-year-old teacher who recently moved to Watford, who told the Observer: “It’s very alien to me, the idea of going inside.
“I still want to be careful.
“Personally I feel quite anxious, it feels very sudden, we have learned a new normal and now we have to relearn, it feels a bit strange.”
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