Commuters have today been seen packing onto busy Tubes, while London morning rush hour is on the up, on the first Monday morning since new lockdown measures were announced.
Workers in the capital were seen squeezing themselves onto rammed Jubilee Line carriages this morning, as people continued to head in despite the Government’s latest call to work from home.
Angry commuters also took to social media to complain about the lack of social distancing on Tubes and buses today.
Meanwhile congestion on London’s roads during rush hour was also almost double that of last week – though still below last year’s average.
It comes after Boris Johnson announced a new month-long national lockdown, due to start on Thursday, which will see bars, restaurants and all non-essential shops closed in a bid to bring down the spread of coronavirus.
Commuters have today been seen packing onto busy Tubes, while London morning rush hour is on the up, on the first Monday morning since new lockdown measures were announced
Workers in the capital were seen squeezing themselves onto rammed Jubilee Line carriages this morning, as people continued to head in despite the Government’s latest call to work from home
Commuters in London also took to social media to complain about the lack of social distancing on Tubes and buses today. Pictured: A busy Jubilee Line train today
Meanwhile congestion on London’s roads during rush hour was also almost double that of last week – though still below last year’s average.
TomTom traffic data from London shows congestion levels were far above last week’s congestion levels in the capital this morning, though still below the 2019 national average
The weekly data from Tom Tom also shows how traffic has largely remained the same today as last week, despite the announcement of new measures, which are set to come in later this week
As the morning went on, congestion levels continued to rise in London, with today’s figures nearly matching the 2019 average
The Government has also ordered people ‘who can work effectively from home must do so’ during the second national lockdown, which is due to last until December 2.
Foreign travel, apart from for work and education purposes, will also be banned from Thursday.
But, despite the announcement of new measures for later this week, commuters were still rushing into their place of work in London this morning.
Photographs from Canning Town station, in east London, showed dozens of people cramped onto the platform awaiting to get a Jubilee Line tube into the city centre.
A continual flow of masked passengers was also seen walking down the stairs to the platform this morning.
On the Tubes themselves there was little room to social distance for most passengers.
One picture shows a line of passengers sat next to each other, less than a metre apart. Current social distancing guidelines are that people should remain two metres apart where possible.
If that is not possible, people should remain more than one metre apart, as well as taking extra steps to stay safe – including wearing a facemask on public transport.
One commuter on Twitter complained to Transport for London (TfL) about packed Tubes at city transport hub Victoria Station.
Copying in TfL to the tweet, Elaine Bridge said: ‘We want to travel to work safely!! This is not safe. Victoria station heading south, 3rd packed train before I could even contemplate stepping in!!’
Photographs from Canning Town station, in east London, showed dozens of people cramped onto the platform awaiting to get a Jubilee Line tube into the city centre
A continual flow of masked passengers was also seen walking down the stairs to the platform this morning, as commuters made their way to work
On the Tubes themselves there was little room to social distance for most passengers. One picture shows a line of passengers sat next to each other, less than a metre apart
One commuter on Twitter complained to Transport for London (TfL) about packed Tubes at city transport hub Victoria Station
TfL responded on Twitter to say: ‘Hi Elaine, thanks for getting in touch with us. Sorry to hear that you’ve had to wait for the third train before you could board due to overcrowding. I fully understand where you’re coming from and your concerns.’
TfL responded on Twitter to say: ‘Hi Elaine, thanks for getting in touch with us. Sorry to hear that you’ve had to wait for the third train before you could board due to overcrowding. I fully understand where you’re coming from and your concerns.’
In a later tweet, TfL said the complaint would be passed on to senior management.
Meanwhile, on London’s roads, drivers faced congestion again this morning, with bumper-to-bumper traffic on the usually busy A40 in north London today.
The A3 Kingston Bypass in Roehampton, south west London, was also busy this morning as traffic slowly made its way into the city.
Both the A40 and the A3 are major arterial routes into the city, but traffic levels have typically been lower than usual since the coronavirus outbreak.
According to graphs by Dutch satnav developers TomTom, congestion levels in London peaked at around 60 per cent this morning – near the 2019 national average.
The figure was double that of last week’s congestion figures, which were around 30 per cent, according to the TomTom data.
At around 9am, the congestion levels in London were 20 per cent higher than the 2019 national average. According to the figures, congestion levels in the capital were around 60 per cent, while the national average for last year was around 42 per cent.
However, London seemed to be an anomaly in comparison with other parts of the country, where congestion remained far below the 2019 average.
In Manchester, congestion levels were around 45 per cent at 9am today, compared to the 60 per cent 2019 average. But the figure was still up hugely from the 20 per cent recorded last week.
Meanwhile, on London’s roads, drivers faced congestion again this morning – with traffic levels up above last week, according to TomTom data. Pictured: Traffic on the A40 heading into London today
According to graphs by Dutch satnav developers TomTom, congestion levels in London peaked at around 60 per cent this morning – near the 2019 national average. Pictured: The A40 heading into London today
The figure was double that of last week’s congestion figures, which were around 30 per cent, according to the TomTom data. Pictured: The A40 heading into London today
The A3 Kingston Bypass in Roehampton, south west London, was also busy this morning as traffic slowly made its way into the city
Both the A40 and the A3 (pictured) are major arterial routes into the city, but traffic levels have typically been lower than usual since the coronavirus outbreak
In Manchester, congestion levels were around 45 per cent at 9am today, compared to the 60 per cent 2019 average. But the figure was still up hugely from the 20 per cent recorded last week
In Cardiff the 9am figure was also far below the 2019 average of around 55 per cent. Congestion levels were around 20 per cent today, slightly higher than the 15 per cent from last week
In Cardiff the 9am figure was also far below the 2019 average of around 55 per cent. Congestion levels were around 20 per cent today, slightly higher than the 15 per cent from last week.
Meanwhile, mobility trends up until Saturday this week also show a decline in the number of people searching for car, walking or public transport routes.
In London on Saturday, driving route searches dropped to baseline levels, according to data from Apple.
Similarly, walking and public transport route searches also saw a small dip over the weekend and remain lower than pre-pandemic levels – though far above the figures from the first national lockdown.
Meanwhile, mobility trends up until Saturday this week also show a decline in the number of people searching for car, walking or public transport routes
Figures for Manchester were similar, in that the all forms of transport took a small dip over the weekend. But figures for walking still remain above driving and public transport and above baseline levels.
In Cardiff, all transport figures remain much lower than pre-pandemic levels, and all took a slight dip on Saturday, according to the Apple data
Figures for Manchester were similar, in that the all forms of transport took a small dip over the weekend.
But figures for walking still remain above driving and public transport and above baseline levels.
In Cardiff, all transport figures remain much lower than pre-pandemic levels, and all took a slight dip on Saturday.
It comes after Boris Johnson announced a second lockdown, which will begin on Thursday, during a Downing Street press conference on Saturday.
Pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops will be forced to close, although, unlike the first lockdown in March, schools will remain open.
Addressing MPs in the House of Commons this afternoon, he is expected to say: ‘Models of our scientists suggest that unless we act now, we could see deaths over the winter that are twice as bad or more compared with the first wave.
‘Faced with these latest figures, there is no alternative but to take further action at a national level. I know some in the House believe we should have reached this decision earlier, but I believe it was right to try every possible option to get this virus under control at a local level, with strong local action and strong local leadership.’
A Whitehall source said: ‘The next three or four months are going to be very tough.
‘Hopefully we can ease things up a bit after a month, but that isn’t certain and we are still going to have to keep our foot on the brake to a certain extent.’
Here we go again! From work to gym to going to the salon, what you can and can’t do as we prepare for a second lockdown
This month’s lockdown will not be the same as spring’s. Schools will stay open, and we can still meet one person from another household outside.
More people will carry on travelling in to work, and the elderly will not be ordered to ‘shield’ indoors.
Here’s a handy guide to what the new rules mean for you and your loved ones…
FRIENDS AND FAMILY
- All home visits – including in gardens – are banned unless you are part of a support bubble. The ban includes partners who live elsewhere.
- Unlike in the first lockdown, you CAN meet a friend, relative or partner from another household outdoors, to exercise or sit in a park.
- Children under school age will not count towards this two-person total, health minister Nadine Dorries tweeted last night. This means, for example, that two new mothers could bring their babies for a chat in the park. Adults who require round-the-clock care will also not be counted in the total.
- Playgrounds will remain open – unlike last time – meaning children can still play on the swings.
- Children of separated parents may continue to move between both homes.
NURSERIES, SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE
- Educational institutions, from nurseries and schools to colleges and universities, will remain open.
- Childminders can carry on working. ‘Childcare bubbles’ will also still be valid – meaning grandparents can care for children after school.
- After-school clubs and youth groups will stop for the next month.
- Universities have been asked to shift more lectures online where possible.
- Students cannot return home to see family until the end of term.
Unlike in the first lockdown, you CAN meet a friend, relative or partner from another household outdoors, to exercise or sit in a park
If you must take public transport, avoid busy times and routes. Always wear a mask and maintain social distancing where possible
GOING TO WORK
- Everybody who can work from home should do so.
- If you cannot do your job from home then you can continue to travel in. Examples include those in construction or manufacturing.
- Those whose work involves going into others’ homes – such as plumbers and cleaners – may continue to do so.
- Those deemed ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ – such as cancer patients – should work from home or claim Statutory Sick Pay.
- Workers currently on furlough will continue to be paid 80 per cent of their wages through November, up to a maximum of £2,500.
VULNERABLE PEOPLE AND CARE HOMES
- The elderly and those who are clinically vulnerable are not being asked to shield this time – unlike during the first lockdown.
- They will, however, be advised to be follow the rules carefully and minimise social contact.
- Older people should not refrain from exercise. They are encouraged to get some fresh air or walk the dog.
- New guidance on care home visits is expected later this week. Current restrictions are in place until then.
- If you need to care for a vulnerable person, such as a family member or neighbour, you are allowed to do so.
TRAVEL
- Travelling outside your local area should be avoided, and the number of trips taken should be reduced.
- Going to medical appointments and the shops is still allowed.
- You can even travel for exercise, as long as it is a short journey.
- If you must take public transport, avoid busy times and routes. Always wear a mask and maintain social distancing where possible.
- Going on holiday is banned. Overseas travel is allowed for work or essential trips only.
- Travelling to holiday homes is also outlawed. Hotel stays are only allowed for work reasons.
- If you are already on holiday, you do not have to travel home straight away. Those in countries with ‘travel corridors’ won’t need to self-isolate upon their return.
Going on holiday is banned. Overseas travel is allowed for work or essential trips only
Hairdressers and beauty salons will be shut again, as will massage parlours and tanning salons
SHOPS AND LEISURE
- Supermarkets, food shops and pharmacists will remain open – meaning there is no need to head out and panic-buy.
- Non-essential retail outlets, from car showrooms to clothing shops, will remain closed until the lockdown is over.
- Those offering click-and-collect options can continue to operate – meaning that, unlike last time, you will be able to order some items online and pick them up in person.
- Restaurants, cafes and pubs will all shut their doors to sit-in customers – but can carry on providing a takeaway service.
- Alcohol cannot be served, however, meaning no repeat of the summer’s ‘takeaway pint’ phenomenon seen at many pubs.
- Garden centres will be allowed to remain open.
- Leisure facilities – such as gyms, swimming pools and soft play facilities – will be shut.
- Golf courses and riding centres will close too, despite the activities largely taking place outdoors.
- Hairdressers and beauty salons will be shut again, as will massage parlours and tanning salons.
- Cinemas, theatres and bingo halls will also be forced to close their doors, along with zoos and botanical gardens.
PUBLIC SERVICES
- GP surgeries and many hospitals will stay open for both urgent and non-urgent appointments.
- Jobcentres will also continue to help people find work.
- Courts and register offices will continue to operate, with a view to preventing more backlogs.
- Food banks and blood donation services will continue to operate, too.
- Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or bereavement services, will have a limit of 15 people per session.
Weddings and civil partnerships will not be allowed to go ahead unless there are exceptional circumstances
WEDDINGS, FUNERALS AND WORSHIP
- Places of worship will be closed unless it is for a funeral, individual prayer, broadcasted acts of worship, formal childcare, blood donation, food banks or support groups.
- Churches, mosques and synagogues can open their doors for individual worship but communal services are banned.
- As is currently the case, funerals may be attended by a maximum of 30 people.
- Weddings and civil partnerships will not be allowed to go ahead unless there are exceptional circumstances.
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