London – – Trying to escape before midnight

Passengers encountered crowded trains leaving London as many tried to “escape” from the big city, writes the PA news agency, quoted by The Guardian.

Passengers were reportedly told that social distancing would not be possible due to the volume of people on board, and those who felt uncomfortable should get off the train, according to one passenger.

Photos and videos on Twitter show a lot of people at various train stations in the big city. A train company acknowledged on Twitter that demand was high after Johnson’s press conference.

Complete trains

Bloomberg had a reporter at Euston station.

– Tonight is quite full, says the reporter and refers to the strong tightening of the measures at Christmas.

– This means that people will not be able to leave the city and will not be able to meet other people at Christmas. This means that many try to flee before midnight to meet their relatives.

Harriet Clugston is one of those who have shared video clips from St. Pancras station before a train arrived in Leeds, ITV writes.

– As expected, the train is stuck, write. Twitterand continues:

– All the people on this train, including me, have made the stupid and irresponsible decision to travel, even if legally, she writes and justifies her trip with the fact that the mother lives alone and does not have the heart to leave alone to mother at Christmas. .

Another woman says that she and her partner made the quick decision to bring their young son home to her family, while a 22-year-old woman says she would make sure she got home before Christmas and that her parents would pick her up before Christmas. The restrictions. implemented.

– I got off the train

The congestion is also drawing the attention of American NBC News, which writes that photos from the St. Pancras station show behavior Johnson hoped to avoid.

The channel has been in contact with a traveler, Rebecca Nind (33), who says she tried to get from London to Leeds to celebrate Christmas with her sister, but did not travel on a crowded train.

– I was not willing to stay in the corridor between the wagons, very close to so many people for three hours, due to the covid. So I got off the train, he says.

The train company EMR has responded to a twitter message from Nind, where he describes the attached photos of the train station as horrible, considering the increase in infection.

– Complete trains to Leeds. I couldn’t get on board. Lost 90 pounds and totally unsafe. Why aren’t seat reservations accepted?

– We have limited our reservation areas to allow clients to plan trips on the day in case their circumstances change. We have seen a sharp increase in demand for the authorities’ announcement at 4 pm We drive as many wagons as possible, EMR responds.

Away from the government

London spokesman Sadiq Khan wrote on Twitter that “London is facing the hardest Christmas since the war.”

– But we’ll get through this together. You’ve heard this many times before, but it’s still true. Follow the rules to save lives and protect health care. Each person’s actions are important in fighting this virus, Khan writes.

In a statement, also published on the Twitter account, the mayor called the restrictions a “bitter defeat for those who expected to spend time with their loved ones, in safety, this Christmas, and for the companies that have already suffered so much this year.” .

He also takes a hard line against the government.

– London and the country pay the price for the government’s continued and failed handling of the pandemic. This ongoing chaos and confusion could have been avoided if the authorities had not made irresponsible promises to the public and raised expectations about the Christmas season. I urge the people of London to follow the new restrictions closely so that we can protect health care and prevent more tragic deaths. writes Khan among other things.

Christmas fists

It was on Saturday night that the British prime minister declared that authorities are drastically tightening up in London, the south-east and the east of England. Here, a more contagious variant of the coronavirus has set off alarms.

– It can be up to 70 percent more contagious than the original variant. This is now spreading very fast, said Boris Johnson, who on Friday and Saturday participated in crisis meetings about the new discovery.

Non-essential stores, hair salons, and gyms should close their doors. Home office requirements are also introduced for those who can.

Blame it on the British crisis

However, what perhaps hurts the most are the very strict rules for the Christmas celebration, and that they are probably the reason for the congestion in London train stations.

The previous Christmas council suggested that three households could celebrate Christmas together and meet for up to five days during Christmas. From midnight onwards through Sunday, Action Level 4 will be introduced in London, the South East and the East of England.

Residents of Level 4 areas must stay home, with very few exceptions. Travel restrictions are also being introduced: people cannot travel in or out of category 4 areas, nor can they spend the night away from home.