Commuter chaos: Rammed train services during Monday rush hour mayhem - PICTURED
TUBE stations in London were packed this morning as many workers returned today after Boris Johnson set out his plan ease lockdown restrictions last week.
Coronavirus: London tube remains packed despite lockdown
From Wednesday last week, Mr Johnson urged those who are unable to work from home to return to their places of employment. Following the first weekend since the lockdown measures were relaxed, pictures have emerged showing trains packed during Monday’s rush hour. Although strict social distancing measures are in place, the images show some commuters clearly within the advised two-metre distance.
As well as violating the distancing measures, the images also show many commuters not wearing facial coverings.
Under the stated advice from Transport for London (TfL), if travelling on the network, you should wear a face covering, keep two metres apart, wash your hands before and after your journey and carry hand sanitiser.
Hand sanitiser stations have also been installed in order to maintain hygiene.
Commenting on the numbers of people on the Tube, one person said: “Tube packed after Boris told people to go back to work.
“Most with no masks. London Underground performing no social distancing.
“Second wave will cripple the NHS.”
A second said: “So, we start off the new system of returning to work.
“The tubes in the capital full to capacity, with hardly anyone wearing a facemask.”
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TfL has also asked the public not to use the most used stations during peak hours in the capital.
A list of London’s 20 busiest stations has been published in order to stop overcrowding in hotspots.
After a securing a £1.6billion pay-out from the Government last week, TfL has also declared it will try to restore a full Underground service as soon as possible.
Although a number of stations are closed, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has stated his desire to reopen the stations as close to being 100 percent operational as soon as possible.
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Last week, London's Transport Commissioner Mike Brown, said: "We have worked closely with the government and mayor as part of the national effort to fight the virus, rapidly reducing passenger numbers to levels not seen for 100 years.
"Enormous challenges remain, including agreeing longer term sustainable funding for transport in the capital.
"In the meantime, we will continue to do everything in our power to help deliver a successful recovery for our great city."
With commuters returning to work today, the Rail Delivery Group said services will be increased from 50 percent to 70 percent of the standard timetable.
They did state, however, that capacity could be reduced to just 10 percent of normal levels to ensure social distancing measures.
There are also fears some rail stations may be closed in order to stop the high use of the trains.
Chief executive of Network Rail, Sir Peter Hendy told the BBC: “We have processes to close stations if they become too full.
"My railway colleagues have rehearsed those processes on the national railway network if that becomes necessary."