BASINGSTOKE residents have shared their concerns about lockdown easing as schools start to reopen across Hampshire.

More people were seen out and about in Basingstoke town this afternoon, waiting in a socially distanced queue outside Natwest.

Some expressed their fears about vulnerable people returning to the workplace and the difficulty of children keeping two metres apart from each other at school.

Mrs Martin, 72, who lives near the Riverdene, told the Gazette: “I am concerned about vulnerable people going back to the workplace on June 15.

“For children going back to school it will be unreal. How can you keep a 5-year-old away form his best mate?"

“It will be incredibly taxing on the teachers today with children returning to school."

Brian Mockford, 78, from Basingstoke, told the Gazette: “Easing lockdown is going well. But right through this lockdown and until now there has not been one toilet open.

“Children are safe to go back to school if it’s done properly. Young children are not so vulnerable anyway.”

“I’ve been at home for nine weeks and come out once a month to pay bills. I think if we don’t have any nasty surprises, I would think in another two weeks things could go more or less back to normal," Mr Mockford added.

A father, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Gazette: “I am not sending my child back to school today.

“Coronavirus is airborne and until the Government releases more information, my daughter is staying at home.”

And another resident thought it was "dangerous" to reopen schools.

Mrs Fairbairn said:“I don’t think it’s a good idea to reopen schools. It’s dangerous and they are only sending the first years back and that’s a very vulnerable age.

“I don’t think we will be back to normal soon and it will drag on through the summer.”