Government workers and business professionals return to their offices Monday as pro democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong ease slightly.

The area outside the chief executive's office has been the focus for the tens of thousands of protesters camped in the streets since last week.

But today, workers passed through the barricades with minimal inconvenience.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) 23 YEAR-OLD BANKER VICTOR LEE, SAYING:

"The biggest concern would be transportation but for me there is no impact in this aspect because I take MTR to work."

(SOUNDBITE) (English) 29 YEAR-OLD FINANCIAL SECTOR EMPLOYEE, GILL CHUNG, SAYING:

"I have to walk using a different route going to the office. But actually it's OK, it's just a few minutes more."

Also Monday some of the students who spent last week camped out on the pavement returned to class.

Elsewhere in the city the streets bustled with pedestrians.

Shops were reopened and service vehicles made their wa