[ad_1]
Passengers who boarded trains to escape the tightening of Covid-19 restrictions in London have been called “totally irresponsible” by the Health Secretary.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock condemned the busy scenes on Saturday night that came after the UK prime minister announced tougher coronavirus measures for the capital.
Additional police officers will be deployed to enforce travel rules at London stations, and the public is urged to adhere to the government guidelines.
The packed trains came after Boris Johnson placed millions of people living in Level 3 parts of London, the South East and East of England on a new Level 4.
The changes, which went into effect at midnight Saturday, mean that households mingling over Christmas are prohibited, travel in or out of Level 4 areas is only allowed for very limited reasons, and overnight stays away from home. they are largely prohibited.
Appearing on the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show on Sunday, Hancock said: “I think those scenes were totally irresponsible.
“We all have a responsibility.
“We, in the government, of course, have a responsibility, but also each person.
“The plea I have is that people will do their part, because it is only by acting, all of us, that we can get this under control.”
In a statement, Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps said it was “incredibly important” that people follow the guide, stay home and not attempt to travel.
He added: “If you are on Level 4, the law means you must stay home and you cannot spend the night away from home.
“In the rest of the country, you have to stay local.
“Follow the signs and please do not come to a station unless you are allowed to travel.
“Additional officers from the BTP (British Transport Police) are being deployed to ensure that only those who need to take essential travel can travel safely.”
His message was echoed in a statement by the government’s Christmas Transport Czar, Peter Hendy.
Mr. Hendy said: “At the stations we will deploy additional staff, the announcements will clarify the law, and there are additional BTP officers to ensure that only essential trips are made.
“People considering driving should also stay home or stay in place. The new restrictions mean that people must not travel in or out of Level 4 areas, and throughout the country must remain local.
“It should play its part in fighting the spread of this virus.”
Dr Susan Hopkins of Public Health England said she expected travelers to cut back on their contacts over the next few days to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
She told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show: “I understand people’s desire to go home to their families and loved ones who they can live with normally and who wanted to get out of London last night.
“I hope that when they go to the place they are moving they reduce their social contacts and do not communicate with anyone outside their home for the next 10 days, as that will help minimize the risk of transmission to other parts of the country.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the crowded scenes were “a direct consequence of the chaotic way the announcement was made.”
He told BBC Breakfast: “I understand why people want to see their moms, dads, older relatives again, but I think it’s wrong.”
He warned Londoners that they may not realize they have the virus and are at risk of passing it on to family members.
Khan added: “Now we have a vaccine going, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“How are you going to feel if you pass the virus on to an older relative, someone you love, whose life could be long and fruitful because of the vaccine, who can contract the virus and, God forbid, lose their life? “
Travelers were told Saturday night that social distancing “will not be possible” due to the volume of people on the trains, and those who feel “uncomfortable” should not stay on board.
At 7pm there were no trains available online from various London stations including Paddington, King’s Cross and Euston.
Online footage showed large crowds at St Pancras station waiting to board trains to Leeds.
[ad_2]