RESIDENTS in Basingstoke town centre have said they think Plan B is “inevitable” and “more should be done” to stop the spread of Covid-19.

Speculation about whether the Government will introduce more Covid-19 restrictions again have been sparked after Labour has called on the Government to bring in Plan B measures to tackle the virus in England.

Plan B restrictions would include face coverings becoming compulsory in some settings, powers to introduce vaccine passports, encouraging people to work from home and communicating the need for caution.

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC the vaccine programme is "stalling" and needs to work better.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the data did not currently suggest "immediately moving to Plan B".

The Gazette has spoken to people in the town centre of Basingstoke, and many said that they think Plan B will be put into action before long.

91-year-old Laurence Carpenter, who comes into the town every week and has lived in Basingstoke most of his life said he is convinced Plan B is needed.

He said: “I think the rules surrounding Covid-19 restrictions should be tightened and sometimes everything you hear on the television gives you false hope.

“When I watch the television is goes in one ear and out the other ear, but I wear my mask to keep myself safe.

“I think they should bring into force Plan B and it should be mandatory for people to wear face masks and work from home.”

Laurence said he fears it will be “too little too late” even if Plan B is actioned by the Government.

63-year-old Maria who works at Frimley Park Hospital said that “something needs to be done” before a third wave hits.

She said: “I feel safe, but I think everybody should be getting the vaccination and some people still haven't.”

Maria caught the virus during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

She added: “I just think more needs to be done and there should be more information on how people should correctly wear face masks as a lot of people don’t wear them properly.”

Ray and Catheryne Jones have lived in Oakley for around 16 years and said they think Plan B is “looking very likely”.

Ray added: “I think that even if we do go into Plan B it will be too late to make a difference.

“I think people are getting fed up with everything now and I don’t think they will bother even if the Government to do something else.”

His wife, 85-year-old Catheryn said she does feel safe in Basingstoke.

She added: “At the moment I do feel safe going out and about and I really hope we don’t go into another lockdown because it would be such a shame.”

Despite living in hope she said she thinks that Plan B "will happen soon".

68-year-old Doris Bowler, who regularly visits Basingstoke to do her shopping said that Plan B is “inevitable”.

She said: “It is almost inevitable that we will go into this Plan B because I think that people just don’t want to do the right thing.

“I have always worn my face mask and I still feel a little cautious especially when I go into a supermarket.

“I really hope we don’t go into another lockdown because this country can’t afford it."

The Plan B measures aim to protect the NHS from "unsustainable pressure".

Plan A, which is currently in place, involves measures including offering booster jabs to the most vulnerable, a single dose to healthy 12 to 15-year-olds and encouraging unvaccinated people to get jabbed.

Do you think the Government will bring in Plan B? get in touch and email jemma.cullum@basingstokegazette.co.uk