[ad_1]
The scenes of London tubes packed with commuters have sparked fury when people returned to work on the first day of Boris Johnson’s coronavirus blocking rule change.
The prime minister’s “road map” outside the closure relaxed the rules, allowing people in England to return to work “if it is safe to do so.”
But the change raised fears that commuters and workplaces may find it difficult to maintain patterns of social distancing.
And the unions said the wagons this morning showed that the returning workers are “in danger.”
Pictures of Canning Town and West Ham, in East London, North Acton, at Liverpool Street Station, west and central London, this morning, showing commuters getting on the tube cars, quickly they caused anger.
The rush hour scenes showed only a few travelers were wearing face covers, after the government urged people to put on protective clothing when using transportation, but failed to make it mandatory.
Some buses in the capital were also reported to be busier than normal after Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s message that people should return to work whenever possible starting Wednesday.
Follow our live blog for the latest news and updates about coronavirus.
(Image: Gustavo Valiente / i-Images)
read more
Related Posts
Comedian Russell Kane tweeted an image of a full subway car this morning, showing people sitting directly next to each other.
He wrote: “This is the end result of the people (including my family) returning today. Whether it is time to do it or not; why pretend in silly and ambiguous language that it was POSSIBLE to maintain distance and return. Just say, “Back to work, c *** s. Nothing we can do. We’re screwed. “
London Underground workers said there was “complete confusion” during the suspension of part of the Victoria Line after a passenger had collapsed.
“The social estrangement during the peak was a joke. During the suspension our cars got agitated, it will get worse,” said one worker.
Transport to London and the mayor of the capital. Sadiq Khan had ordered Londoners to cover their faces in transport before the government’s push for the country to return to work.
The prime minister also urged passengers to wear the protective covers and to keep a distance of two meters from each other while on their way to work today.
But Londoners could be seen resisting the distancing patterns as they crowded into the stations and crowded Jubilee and Central Lines in today’s rush hour city, and many were seen clearly without covering their faces.
(Image: Gustavo Valiente / i-Images)
read more
Related Posts
Good Morning Britain projected images of today’s London scenes on a crowded Central Line platform, as social distancing seemed impossible in crowded wagons.
Images from north Acton, west London, showed the station platforms crowded with people as they struggled to maintain the two-meter rule.
Mick Cash, secretary general of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said: “This incident shows just how dangerous the government’s return to work call is for our transport services in the midst of this pandemic.
“One incident and we are reduced to crisis management with reports that social distancing is impossible with rammed subway cars.”
“RMT warned that this would happen and they ignored us. We are monitoring the situation in all services this morning and will discuss any appropriate action with our local representatives.”
Carl Moss, 39, a gardener at St Thomas Hospital, has been traveling from Clapham Junction to Waterloo during the crisis, saying he is “busier today.”
(Image: Phil Harris)
He added: “I think the economy needs to start to recover but it is still unclear at the moment for some people.”
“Most of the people I’ve seen around the world look like merchants, but lately I’ve seen more office people, financial type.
Get your favorite newspaper right in your mailbox with our amazing free delivery offer.
This special promotion means that nobody has to miss their favorite daily reading during the current crisis.
Go to deliverymynewspaper.co.uk then find your zip code and choose your local kiosk.
Newspaper payment is still required. Only new clients. UK stores only and subject to delivery area availability. Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror only. More than 18 T&C apply, see deliverymynewspaper.co.uk for full terms.
“You can’t go on forever with closure, I think most people are sensible.”
Sir Keir Starmer of Labor questioned the Prime Minister after he announced on Sunday that people in England could start returning to work starting today.
(Image: Phil Harris)
read more
Related Posts
The opposition leader questioned how the government would ensure that workers were safe in transport and in the workplace, as the The death toll from coronavirus in the UK continues to rise.
The total death toll is close to 33,000, including deaths in hospitals and home care centers.
However, the “true” number of deaths is believed to be around 40,000, after new figures emerged in recent days that count the excess death data.
The Johnson government has promised to issue safety guidelines for employers and transport chiefs before the closing relief date of Wednesday, May 13.
read more
Related Posts
The government has urged people concerned about safety in their work environment to report, leading to accusations. The government is passing the buck to safety in the workplace.
Exercise
Unlimited outdoor exercise will be allowed, with the above ‘once a day’ rule removed
Tan
People will be allowed to sit in parks and beaches as long as they are within two meters of other people.
Drive
Boris Johnson said in his Sunday night speech that people will be able to drive to other destinations starting Wednesday, presumably to exercise there, although more detailed plans are likely to follow.
Meet others
Starting May 13, people can meet a friend or relative from a different home in a public place, as long as they are two meters away. Gatherings of more than two people are still prohibited, so people cannot meet their parents, for example.
Play golf and tennis
Golf courses and tennis courts will reopen from May 13, with a relatively easy social distancing to achieve, although you can only play with people in your home. Team sports, such as soccer, are unlikely to be encouraged as social distancing is difficult and would require more people than the average home.
Fishing and swimming
Angling and water sports will also be allowed to resume in England starting on Wednesday. Again, you must be inside your own home and two meters from other people.
Back to work
Instead of a change in the rules, the government is now encouraging people to return to work if they cannot do it from home. But they also urge people to drive, walk, or bike to work instead of using public transportation, if possible
But unions have raised the alarm, fearing that workers may face pressure and employers may ignore patterns of social distancing in a climate of despair amid a declining economy.
(Image: Gustavo Valiente / i-Images)
read more
Related Posts
The return to work coincided with marked figures that revealed the first look at the cost of the pandemic, as the UK economy suffered its biggest slump since late 2008 at the height of the financial crisis.
The economy contracted by 2% in the first quarter of 2020, as the shutdown saw an activity contract at a record pace in March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed.
The ONS said activity plummeted 5.8% in March, prompting a drop in first-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) in the biggest decline since late 2008.
(Image: Gustavo Valiente / i-Images)
Railroad workers union RMT told Sky News this morning, “Our members are deeply concerned that we will see an increase in passengers.”
The union said it was concerned that crowds made trains and buses “less safe”, and its members had been told they could “refuse to work” if they felt unsafe.
(Image: PHILIP COBURN)
The rule change began after the death of a railway worker in the capital yesterday.
Ticket collector Belly Mujinga, 47, died of a coronavirus after she was allegedly spat on by an irate man on an esplanade at London’s Victoria Station.
He died in the hospital on April 5, thirteen 13 days after the incident at the main station.
(Image: Gustavo Valiente / i-Images)
One’s mother and an unidentified colleague contracted Covid-19 after the incident.
His attacker, who has not been identified, allegedly told his victims that he had the virus.
The mother’s death has raised concerns about the safety of transportation personnel as the country returns to the workplace.
She left her husband Lusamba, 60, and her daughter Ingrid, 11, who were unable to say goodbye when Mrs. Mujinga succumbed to the virus in hospital.
When asked about the rail ticket officer this morning, Transportation Secretary Grant Shapps said around 50 transportation workers have died during the crisis.
He told BBC Breakfast: “My heart goes out to Belly’s family. No one should be spit on.
“This is not a matter of PPE, it is just unpleasant and I know that the British transport police are investigating.”
“Very, very sad, his death and, in fact, the death of some 50 transport workers is something I take particularly seriously.”
(Image: Phil Harris)
Shapps said he had sent guidance to service operators, adding that Public Health England did not “highly recommend” personal protective equipment (PPE) for transport workers.
“Clearly, no one should spit on anyone; that is a criminal offense and I know the investigation is underway,” he said.
The news of the tragedy came the day before the blockade restrictions were eased for people in England.
Data released by localization technology firm TomTom shows that the level of road congestion in London at 8 am today was 19%, up from 17% the previous week.
During the same period, Manchester experienced an increase from 12% to 13%, Birmingham remained stable at 11%, Newcastle congestion increased from 11% to 13% and Leeds from 13% to 14%.
The figures represent the proportion of additional time required for travel compared to free-flow conditions.
[ad_2]
