SINGAPORE — Now that Singapore is firmly in its "new normal" phase and the crowds have returned to the streets, it seems that quite a number of people are missing the convenience of some of the restrictions in place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Over the weekend, people took to online forum Reddit to share "pandemic-era restrictions (they) wish were permanent", such as working from home and limited capacity for public facilities such as gyms.

Reddit user "doubleoh72" first brought up the topic in a post on Saturday (July 23), saying: "Back then, gyms had to be booked days in advance. I realised I preferred this system, because I was always among the first in line for my slot, and I would be able to use the equipment immediately before the crowd came.

"Nowadays the gym is always packed, because you can walk in anytime."

Other Reddit users then began to offer their own most-missed "pandemic-era restrictions" in the thread. Unsurprisingly, one crowd favourite was simply: "WFH (working from home)."

One top comment went: "This has to be the king of all restrictions that people would like to be permanent.

"Default WFH, with the option to go back to the office... I dislike being forced back for no actual reason."

Retaining such flexible working options has even become a deal-breaker for employees, as one Reddit user claimed: "We were all forced back to (the) office, a week after (the) Government announced 100 per cent (of office workers) can be back.

"And (then) came the influx of resignations."

Another user noted that making WFH the default also "helps those who have to WFO (work from the office)" since there are fewer crowds and "less annoyances around".

On the flip side, for people who have to be physically present at work, they miss the culture that those who are unwell must stay out of the office.

One office-goer lamented: "My neighbouring cubicle uncle loves to sneeze and cough while doing his Zoom calls."

Another said: "(Staying out of the office if you are sick) should still be a thing.

"No one else wants to share the germs, be it Covid or not."

Others felt that mask-wearing in the office should be mandatory, noting that despite "coughing all the time", some colleagues have begun to "occasionally take off (their) mask when everyone is around and even when talking to others".

Many said that mask-wearing should also be the norm in public if one is unwell, or handling food and beverages — though others stated that they simply prefer to have "ugly" faces hidden or "enjoy the veil of mystery it gives".

One Reddit user complained: "Some people, before (the) pandemic, just coughed in your face when they were sick. I think it's good people are more aware of how germs and flu bugs spread now."

A former chronic flu patient agreed, saying: "I know some people hate wearing masks but I realised that ever since we started wearing masks, I haven't fallen sick yet, not even a bit of flu.

"I used to have flu every few months, but... the last time I had flu was December 2019."

Like most office workers, students in the Reddit thread also called for the return of "online lectures and tutorials".

Physical classes, one student argued, make it necessary to cram as many classes as possible in the fewest number of days in order to minimise travel time.

However, some people who are enjoying the return to face-to-face classes pointed out that they had to forfeit their "school life" for the convenience and effectiveness of online classes when restrictions were in place. All school activities were either cancelled or conducted online, and "making friends was virtually impossible".

As one university student said: "You can replay the video until you understand, you can chiong (speed through) lectures. I think it really helped me learn better than physical lectures.

"But yes, after three years in university, I have made a grand total of six friends."

Whether working or studying, though, an overwhelming majority of online users concluded that the huge drop in human traffic in public areas was one of the greatest upsides to the restrictions.

One commuter reminisced: "I loved the peaceful period when the trains were empty."

Another said: "You had a whole row to yourself on flights at one point.... Economy lie-flat seating."

Like the person who started the online thread, some others wished for permanent capacity restrictions for venues and facilities such as cinema halls and public pools.

However, not all were in agreement on this point. The downside to not having to contend with walk-in customers for public gyms and pools, dissenters said, is "how much of a pain it is to camp for slots".

In addition, "not everyone is able to plan ahead with their schedules".

Redditors also said that even though less crowding made for a more enjoyable experience, it negatively affected the business of retail, and food-and-beverage outlets.

"Honestly, empty malls were the best," one said. "It smelled and felt different, it was so good.

"But it hurt many people's livelihoods so, yeah, good and bad."

For some of these establishments, business has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels. This also affects patrons, another Reddit user noted.

Many places still seem to be operating with reduced hours, so it is still somewhat of a "dead town in the later evening", the observation went.

For the places that do open late, funnily enough, one other restriction that people missed was the 10.30pm alcohol curfew. This was because it allowed them to "still catch the MRT (train) home".

"Not having to stay out until 2am every time (I) go out (to) drink with friends," someone commented on Sunday at 3am. "Writing a comment at this time because I just came back from drinking."

Personal space and silence in public spaces were also high on the most-missed list, with Reddit users being of the opinion that people should still be maintaining a one-metre distance when queueing or in lifts.

One commuter said: "People are terribly disrespectful of others while on buses and trains. The blasting of music from phones has resumed, and it's terrible.

"Talking and shouting youth and kids, but also people on their phones broadcasting their conversations."

Similarly, a restaurant patron criticised the resurgence of music in restaurants when it used to be restricted to prevent people talking over a din and spraying vapours in the air.

The loudness can be "too much to have conversations comfortably", one Redditor said.

Another remarked: "I go to eateries to talk. If I want (to) listen to (live music), I'd go to a concert."

After experiencing the unprecedented peace and quiet of the "pandemic era", it appears that people are having trouble readjusting to "crowds and noise".

In an uncanny throwback to the circuit breaker or semi-lockdown period in 2020, some people even said that they have stopped going to malls unless absolutely necessary.

As one Redditor put it: "The pandemic made me realise that, perhaps, I’m made for a quieter place."