FACE-MASKS have been critical for those working in healthcare professions and as non-essentials shops reopened, wearing masks inside is the norm while shopping.

But what about when the pandemic subsides?

On June 21 all social restrictions will lift, and people will once again be allowed to enjoy their life as they knew it before the first lockdown in March 2020.

But should we continue to wear masks in shops when life finally returns to normal? We asked the Lancashire Telegraph readers for their thoughts.

Most people said that wearing masks should be a choice but it should not be still mandatory.

Roy Calkins said: “People should be free to make that choice themselves if they want to or not. There shouldn't be a rule about it.

“If some individuals feel it is simply too dangerous to shop with people not wearing one there is always delivery or pickup.”

Anthony Perkins said: “No. If it's not mandatory, then it should be down to individual choice.

“If you want to carry on wearing one where it's not mandatory fine, but don't impose it or force it onto others who don't want to do it.”

Wendy Graham said: “Wearing a mask should be down to the individual, maybe keeping the use of hand sanitisers is a good idea.”

There are numerous instructions online about how to safely and correctly wear a mask. When the pandemic started there were concerns about the way in which to wear one effectively.

Lorraine Holden said: “I work in a post office and shop and the amount of people who do not wear a mask properly certainly outweighs the number of people who do.

“Or they enter the premises and put the mask on afterwards after touching the door etc. Totally pointless in most cases.”

Tracy Moorcroft said: “No, people don’t wear them correctly and constantly touch their mask then the products the retailer is selling.

“My daughter works in retail and worked all the way through a full year wearing a mask at all times and then still caught it. I think clean hands and leaving a space is enough.”

A few people did want to continue wearing masks as a personal choice due to the benefits it could have during cold months.

Timmy Bee said: “Up to them I say, though I think it would be a good idea if people continued to wear masks in shops and on public transport during the winter cold and flu seasons as it could cut their spread down.

“On a personal note, I may keep a proper FFP3 type mask with me when I go out walking in town as I've found I sometimes breathe easier with it on when it is really busy.”

Angela Ingham said: “It’s up to the individual but I will be wearing mine for a long while.”

Julie Broadhurst said: “Yes, I won’t feel safe inside without one for a long while.”