The number of people travelling through Liverpool Lime Street station fell 17 percent on Monday morning after the government's order to work from home, according to Network Rail.
As people returned to home working this week, businesses ploughed on in Liverpool city centre, reaping the benefits of calmer weather and last minute Christmas shopping.
The ECHO visited some traders around Lime Street on Thursday to see if they've seen a fall in foot traffic in the area as fears grow of a blow to businesses if a winter lockdown lands.
READ MORE: How Liverpool city centre looked on the last weekend before Christmas
Google data suggests use of public transport in Liverpool dropped slightly in the first two weeks of December.
You might expect to see fewer people on the streets, but people working stalls at the Christmas Market opposite Lime Street Station and next to Queens Square Bus Station had mixed views on the impact on business.
A 10-hour day is a short day for the people working one of the bars, according to bartender Casey, who said business has been "insane" this week.
The bar is usually busiest from Thursday to Sunday.
Casey said: "Sunday especially, we will have people lining up to start drinking at like 10:45 in the morning, but we can't legally serve until 11.
"So when 11 o'clock hits, we'll have lines going all the way to the steps. People are already coming in, they've had a few for their Sunday brunches.
"And then it's non-stop all day."
They added: "I'm so exhausted. I don't think I've ever seen this market as busy as it has been."
Joe at the Hippy Hole stall, which also has a store on Bold Street, said people wouldn't listen to the government's latest instructions.
He told the ECHO : "If you're in Liverpool and you speak to someone from Liverpool, what Boris and all them ar******s are saying doesn't matter.
"We look at them and go, 'Hold on a minute, you had a party in 10 Downing Street last year while my nan, your nan, their nans, everybody's family are dying'."
A young man watches the Liverpool - Everton match on his phone as he takes a break from toasting marshmallows over a flame.
Squatting by an entrance, a security guard watches the game on their own screen.
The market was apparently busier before the game began, but the fans filed out, destined for bars in time for kick-off.
Sales have been steady at an art stall near the Hood Street entrance to St John's Gardens, but match night was quieter.
Stephen said: "It's normally a lot busier than this on a Thursday night, but because there's a Liverpool football match, I'd probably put it down to that rather than the covid situation."
He added: "I think people just feel safe. Because you're outdoors - it does get really packed - but I think because you're outdoors and most people are jabbed, so I think a lot of people feel invincible."
Not everyone agrees the market has gone unaffected.
Some people are already losing wages.
The woman running Alpine Games said: "I've prepared tonight with a lot of staff and I've already sent one home, and I'm going to be sending another one home in the next five minutes, just because there's no trade.
"It's on the news saying for people to stay at home, work from home."
Terri at a crafted stone and garden ornament stall said business at the market has been tougher than in previous years, but that "the weather, more than anything, has played a bigger part".
Others suggested students going home for the festive break and people finishing much of their Christmas shopping are causes for any drop in footfall.
Fortunately for businesses camped out here, the rumoured lockdown looming over the horizon may not arrive until after December 23 when stalls will be packed up.
The same can't be said of other businesses in Liverpool city centre.
