Face masks were still spotted in high streets across the country on Thursday despite Covid plan B coming to an end.
People believe wearing facial coverings are “for the greater good”.
The measures which were introduced ahead of Christmas to curb the Omicron variant, were scrapped yesterday.
It means people are no longer legally required to wear face masks indoors.
But public health guidance, which suggests people wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where they come into contact with strangers, will stay in place.
Despite this supermarkets and rail operators have urged people to continue wearing their facial coverings to keep their staff safe.
Both Sainsbury’s and John Lewis said their customers will be asked to wear masks, though the latter acknowledged it will ultimately come down to “personal choice”.
Carol Grant, 74, from Newcastle said she will persevere with wearing them despite feeling discomfort.
"It's not nice and I feel like I can't breathe but it's worth it for safety.
"I've been quite careful over the past couple of years and managed to avoid it so far so I plan on doing the same now.
"I think it's good that Sainsbury's are enforcing it, it's for the greater good."
Patrick Tait, a 20-year-old politics student at Newcastle University said he wanted to make sure he is protecting others, particularly the elderly.
He said: “It seems reasonable to keep wearing face masks for others' safety. I use other people as a guide.
"If someone else is wearing one or they're elderly I'll put one on.
"I don't think it matters that Sainsbury's are enforcing it because realistically if someone has already made their mind up about not wearing one it won't change."
Hull city centre was filled with people continuing to wear their masks in and out of stores.
Borbala Bosi, 18, said while she was happy to wear a mask while the restrictions were in place, she would not be wearing one anymore as they are "uncomfortable and itchy".
Rebecca Addinell, store assistant of KODA at Paragon Arcade, believed it would take some time for people to stop wearing a mask, even as the restrictions have been lifted.
"I prefer to wear it and I will continue to wear it for at least a few more weeks.
"I don't ask people to put a mask on, but when people come in and see me wear one, they tend to put theirs on too."
Rob Froggett, 56, said: "In shops I will continue to wear a mask. I have never had a problem with wearing it.
"It has helped and you have got to protect people who are having to work."
Trade union Usdaw, which represents 360,000 retail workers, urged customers to continue to "observe Covid safety measures".
Paddy Lillis, the head of Usdaw, said it was "deeply disappointing the government ploughed on with ending mandatory face coverings in shops.
Shop workers have borne the brunt of the virus throughout the pandemic, working through lockdowns, tiered restrictions and various waves of the virus.
Commuters on London's public transport network have been required to keep wearing face masks with Mayor Sadiq Khan urging Londoners to "do the right thing".
