Thousands of shoppers descended onto the high street as restrictions eased for the last time but one thing was on everybody's mind: is this too soon?
As cases start to surge, there was mixed emotion from Mancunains - some worried and questioning whether relaxing the rules today would be worth it for another potential lockdown in winter.
University students were the first to hit the clubs at 12.01 this morning after doing a countdown to a time when they could ditch their masks, order at the bar and party until the early hours.
READ MORE: Clubbers will need proof of double vaccination
Others approached the new way of life with more caution, continuning to wear masks in shops and even in public places - where the one meter rule has been totally scrapped.
If the government is hoping people will choose to be cautious without the need for Covid laws, then The Rock Bury looked like the perfect model for the country - with shoppers forming socially-distanced queues and more than two-thirds wearing masks in stores.
Angela Hodson, 65, said: "We're quite relaxed about freedom day, we're not stupid. We know how to protect ourselves, and protecting ourselves protects other people."
But while there was an appreciation of extra freedoms in Oldham, there was some concern about the growing number of case numbers - with carer Carrie Smith, 38, saying she now feels less safe and expects to be 'locked down again in a month'.
Dominic Williams, 46, from Swinton said he thought it was "crazy" that restrictions are being lifted just as cases are rising.
He said: "It's crazy. Our freedoms have been curtailed for such a long time and now cases are surging and in a week or two it will be the highest ever.
"The jabs are the only element in our favour but it seems crazy to take away all our restrictions at a time when cases are rising."
For some, such as Joshua Bass, 25, who works at Manchester Airport, the nature of his work means he will still be wearing a mask and he says as he doesn't go out to bars much, he doesn't feel the effect.
Others, however, taking the polar opposite view, include Ebony Lewis - the face behind the familiar Sugar Hut van parked in Manchester city centre.
She said a plastic screen was put up in front of her tills as an alternative to her wearing a mask all day in scorching heat and now, that has finally been taken down.
She said she would wear a mask in shops to protect other people but is genuinely looking forward to fighting her way to the front of the bar for a drink at a club - as opposed to table service all night.
Melissa Dixon, 49, and Paul Dixon, 46, were heading out for lunch today and said despite anticipating a lot of restaurants would still exercise caution to help the public feel secure, they were pleased to not have to keep pre-booking and pre-ordering.
But Melissa said: "I can't help but feel it's a bit herd immunity."
While teacher James Taleporos, 31, said catching public transport for the first time without a mask felt odd.
"It was a bit like do you, don't you?" he said. "I put my mask on as I still feel a bit of anxiety."
Another couple, Alex and Sandra, were also travelling around Manchester today after arriving from Scotland for a mini getaway two days ago.
The pair, who have now been double jabbed, say they were continuing to follow Scottish rules - wearing masks in shops and socially distancing from crowds - and bashed our government for relaxing rules "too quickly".
This evening at a press conference, Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended his decision saying: "If not now, when?"
Read more: Live Updates from Boris Johnson's coronavirus press conference
Read more: LIVE: Coronavirus restrictions are lifted and nightclubs reopen
