Even a British Transport Police officer outside Doncaster bus and train terminal didn't have a clue about the mask rules on Freedom Day.
“I've absolutely no idea, I've just started. I'll google it now,” the helpful, but embarrassed officer admitted.
It's hardly surprising, because everyone seemed confused on Monday morning after the legal requirement to wear face coverings (or face a £200 fine) was removed while in some areas it was still mandatory.
The Mayor of London has made it mandatory on TFL buses and trains, as a condition of carriage, followed by West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire mayors, who have made it compulsory at their bus terminals.
But hospital worker Robin Gollings, 29, who got on the train at Doncaster on Monday morning off to work, said he doesn't care what any of them say, he will still wear his mask
“I work in a hospital ICU and I've seen too much heartbreak to stop wearing a mask,” he told The Mirror.
“I've seen people coming in struggling to breathe. I will never get over a patient in his 60s grabbing my hand and saying; 'I'm not going to make it.'
“I've had it and it felt like I'd been hit by a train. I'm still not right now and struggle for breath.
“Covid deniers really frustrate me because I've seen how hard and fast it can affect you. They should think about the consequences.
“And I don't have any faith in Boris at all because he's forgotten who saved his life and who looked after him. “
However, cafe worker Michael Morris, 32, from Wakefield, was on a train without a mask for the first time in 483 days.
“I've abided by the rules all the way through and I have to wear one at work all the time because the customers are nervous if we don't,” he said.
“It felt nice not to have it on for once and it wasn't busy.
“My friend at work has had three chest infections and it wasn't Covid but from wearing a mask. I would put one on if asked though and if it was busy.”
He was travelling with his mum, Debbie, 59, who was wearing a mask, his daughter Amber 10, who wasn't and sister Kirsty, 29, who was. They were all off on their holidays to Scarborough.
His mum said: “I've had both the vaccines but I'm so used to wearing it. I feel more confident when I keep it on.”
In Leeds, doing the 'walk of shame' at 9.45am Monday morning, came two 21 year olds, walking gingerly in their very high heels.
They were maskless and heading for breakfast at Leeds train station after spending the night at a Manchester nightclub.
“I just don't know the rules any more”, admitted Caris Poppy from Leeds who described her night out in Manchester as “euphoric!.”
“My feet are killing me but it was so surreal being in a nightclub again for the first time in two years.” Her pal said it felt like "freedom".
Nearby the station manager was putting up new posters saying: “Travel with confidence. In crowded spaces, wear a face covering out of respect for others. Please be considerate of other passengers and rail staff.”
One rail worker, manning the barriers, said: “A lot of girls don't like wearing the mask because of their makeup.
"During the pandemic it was quiet but we are getting a lot busier since the pubs reopened.
"Lots start the day wearing a mask but once they've had a drink, hardly any!”
At the city's bus station, where the mayor says wearing a mask was mandatory, there was even more confusion about the new rules.
Mary Hall, 70, said: “The bus driver said we didn't have to wear one, so half were wearing a mask and half not. I'm exempt so I don't wear one anyway.”
Yesterday the majority of people we saw, who were not wearing masks appeared to be under 30, like Lauren Sadler, 19, from Leeds who told us: “I don't like wearing them and it's all a bit confusing.”
However there was no confusion for Lily Evanson, 17 from Bradford, and her friend, Olivia Zawodna, 17, from Leeds, who both wore masks on the bus and in the station.
“It's busy and Covid's getting worse, the cases are rising. They made that decision to lift restrictions but didn't do it at a good time. I will wear my mask to protect other people,” said Lily.
Her friend Olivia added: “Some people don't wear them because they think it makes them look cool. I don't think they realise wearing a mask is for other people's benefit, not your own!”
A bus worker said they would not be approaching people to force them to put masks on, despite the mayor's ruling.
“We've had quite a lot of abuse from customers having to wear them and from customers complaining about other people not wearing them. “
Esther Olagunju, 21, a student nurse from London, arrived off her bus from the city wearing her mask: “It was quite empty on there and about half were wearing masks. It is a personal choice but why wouldn't you try and avoid getting sick?
“I'm younger so I have a chance of fighting it off and I'm half vaccinated but I will still wear a mask.”
But she said she understands how hard it must be on the hot tube in the capital to keep a mask on but urged the public “to try”.
“I really understand, it's painful on the tube, there's no air and the air there is, is hot - but we have to try.
