London 'nowhere near' easing lockdown as 14 transport workers die from coronavirus

Andy Wells

·Freelance Writer

Updated 8 April 2020 at 5:45 am·3-min read

A woman wearing a face mask waits to board an underground train on the Central Line at Bank station in London, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. British authorities laid out plans Tuesday to confront a COVID-19 epidemic, saying that the new coronavirus could spread within weeks from a few dozen confirmed cases to millions of infections, with thousands of people in the U.K. at risk of death. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) — A woman wearing a face mask waits to board an underground train on the Central Line at Bank station in London. (AP)

London is set to continue lockdown restrictions following the three-week review after 14 transport workers died after contracting coronavirus, the city’s mayor has suggested.

Sadiq Khan said the capital is “nowhere near” being able to lift the restrictions, which came into force just over two weeks ago.

Khan revealed that nine bus drivers, three Transport for London (TfL) workers, an Underground worker and a worker for one of TfL’s suppliers had all lost their lives as a result of COVID-19.

London mayor Sadiq Khan at the launch of his re-election campaign, at the Rose Lipman Building in north London. Picture date: Tuesday March 3, 2020. Photo credit should read: Matt Crossick/Empics — London mayor Sadiq Khan said London was not ready to lift lockdown restrictions. (PA)

Asked about the possibility of lifting restrictions, the mayor told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: "When the prime minister announced the lockdown just over two and a half weeks ago he said he would review it in three weeks' time, which is this Monday.

"I think we're nowhere near lifting the lockdown. I speak to experts regularly – in fact, after this [interview] I'll have another call with Public Health England and NHS London experts.

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"We think the peak – which is the worst part of the virus – is still probably a week and a half away.”

Earlier, speaking to BBC Breakfast, Khan said his "thoughts and prayers" were with the 14 transport workers who lost their lives to the coronavirus.

Khan highlighted measures introduced to protect transport workers, including “advanced cleaning regimes” and protective glass between bus drivers and passengers.

His comments come as a new system of boarding buses is being trialled in the capital to further reduce contact with drivers.

Thank you London for staying at home. This was a rush hour central line train through central London today. Stay Home. Save Lives #COVID19 @TfL ^8457 pic.twitter.com/RhO2swbFKg
— BTP Specials | #StayHomeSaveLives (@BTPSpecials) April 8, 2020

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: Commuters wearing face protection masks travel on the Central Line on March 23, 2020 in London, United Kingdom. Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has spread to at least 182 countries, claiming over 10,000 lives and infecting hundreds of thousands more. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — Commuters wear face protection masks on the Central Line in London. (Getty)

A man wearing a face mask waits to board an underground train on the Central Line at Bank station in London, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. British authorities laid out plans Tuesday to confront a COVID-19 epidemic, saying that the new coronavirus could spread within weeks from a few dozen confirmed cases to millions of infections, with thousands of people in the U.K. at risk of death. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) — A man wearing a face mask waits to board an underground train on the Central Line at Bank station in London. (AP)

TfL announced it will launch a pilot scheme that will see passengers using only the middle door to board on several routes operated by bus firm Abellio out of its depot in Walworth, south-east London, including two that serve hospitals.

Passengers using London buses normally board using the front door and leave using the middle door, to smooth the flow of people.

Bus use in London has fallen by around 85% due to the pandemic.

TfL director of bus operations Claire Mann said: "London's hard-working transport workers are making a heroic effort at the frontline of the fight against this pandemic, and it is only right we consider everything we can to protect them.”

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