Crowds flee London after strict Covid level 4 restrictions were announced



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Passengers faced crowded train cars outside London as many tried to flee the capital following the announcement of tighter coronavirus restrictions.

Travelers were told that social distancing “will not be possible” due to the volume of people on board, and that those who feel “uncomfortable” should not stay on the train.

It comes after Boris Johnson made the shocking announcement that much of the east and southeast of England, including London, would be placed under Level 4 restrictions.

Level 4, which is the highest possible level in England, effectively returns residents to the rules in place during the national lockdown.

Johnson told a Downing Street news conference at 4 p.m. Saturday that the rules would go into effect at midnight.

As of 7pm on Saturday night, there were no trains available online from various London stations, including Paddington, Kings Cross and Euston.

Online footage showed large crowds at St Pancras station waiting to board trains to Leeds.

Cars on the M4 motorway leaving London (Stefan Rousseau / PA)

Harriet Clugston said that people on board the trains had tried to secure space for themselves, but there was not enough space to do so.

“As expected, the train is crowded,” he wrote on Twitter.

“The ad on Tannoy says that social distancing ‘will not be possible’ due to the volume and to be lowered if you are not comfortable with it.

“People have tried to ensure social distance by getting into the seats, but other passengers have asked them to remove them because the train is so full.”

Another woman, who did not want to be identified, said she and her partner had made a “split decision” to take their young son to his parents’ home on the coast.

“We just made the decision to leave based on the fact that my parents said to come, and we couldn’t bear the thought that there was no fresh air and a little kid going crazy over a small apartment for the foreseeable,” he told the new PA agency.

“We also felt that we wanted to take the baby to a slightly safer place with a garden, although we know that many people will not have that luxury.

She added: “The grandparents are desperately happy to see their grandson.

“Obviously we worry about bringing them something, but they seem happy to take the risk.”

Izzy, 22, of Bristol, said she wanted “the security of being home for Christmas” and that her parents had come looking for her before the restrictions went into effect.

“I have a slight nervousness that they might block the roads or something that prevents me from going home,” he said.

“I’m moving out of my apartment so I need my dad to come get me and he feels more comfortable doing it before Level 4 starts.”

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