Long queues as lockdown eased

THOUSANDS of people across England queued up for school and IKEA yesterday as the British government eased the coronavirus lockdown by allowing some children to return to class and many shops to reopen for the first time since March.

While some schools in England allowed 4- to 6-year-olds and 10- to 11-year-olds back to school, many parents planned to keep children at home amid fears ministers were moving too fast. Lines formed as parents dropped off their children, who teachers aimed to keep 2m apart. Playgrounds were silent.

Groups of up to six people from different households are allowed to meet socially or to play certain sports under a partial relaxing of previous rules, which only allowed two people to meet. Police officers can only enter a home or garden if there’s a disturbance.

All the people involved must stay 2m away from each other if they do not live together, and there is a ban on two people from different households meeting for sex.

With Britain recording more than 38 000 deaths from confirmed Covid19 cases, one of the highest tolls in the world, many are worried the easing of the lockdown is happening too soon, including scientists, who warn it could lead to a second spike in infections.

A survey for the National Foundation for Educational Research found school leaders estimated 46% of parents would keep their children at home over health concerns, fears echoed by some health officials.