Underground to close - [initially rumour in the press]

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From My London

There are reports that the London Underground could be closed after fears a mutated Covid strain could spiral out of control.

The Covid variant came to light on Monday, December 14 when the Health Secretary Matt Hancock raised the issue while making a statement to Parliament about London moving to Tier 3 due to infection rates rising.

On Friday (December 18) evening the Prime Minister and senior cabinet members met to discuss concerns about the spread of the new Covid variant.

On Saturday (December 19) the talks continued when Boris Johnson called an emergency meeting of his Cabinet to discuss how to control the mutated strain of coronavirus.

Downing Street Press Briefing at 16:00

[grahame]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55376727

A fourth tier of coronavirus restrictions is expected to be introduced in London and south-east England, sources have told the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page).

There is also expected to be a tightening of the plans to relax the rules around households gathering during the Christmas period.
The PM is to hold a press conference at 16:00 GMT as concerns grow about the spread of a new variant of the virus.

Boris Johnson hosted a cabinet meeting earlier to discuss what action to take.

Chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said government advisers "consider the new strain can spread more quickly".

He will join the prime minister and Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, at the press conference.

England's current three-tier system of coronavirus measures has faced criticism for not being effective in stopping the surge in cases.

[Electric train]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-55376727

A fourth tier of coronavirus restrictions is expected to be introduced in London and south-east England, sources have told the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page).

There is also expected to be a tightening of the plans to relax the rules around households gathering during the Christmas period.
The PM is to hold a press conference at 16:00 GMT as concerns grow about the spread of a new variant of the virus.

Boris Johnson hosted a cabinet meeting earlier to discuss what action to take.

Chief medical officer Prof Chris Whitty said government advisers "consider the new strain can spread more quickly".

He will join the prime minister and Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, at the press conference.

England's current three-tier system of coronavirus measures has faced criticism for not being effective in stopping the surge in cases.

Tier 4 has been implemented, its basically the same as the March National lockdown regards travel; only essential travel eg for work, education or medical appointments.

There was no mention of closing transport down, although I suspect HMG will asking TfL^» (Transport for London - about) and the National Rail ToC to look at reducing services in the new year

[grahame]

By (mailing list) email from TfL^» (Transport for London - about). My bolding of the text that gives lie to the initial report at the top of this thread.

Dear Mr Ellis,

The Government has announced that London is now under Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, meaning that you must not leave your home and only travel for work (where you cannot work from home) or for other legally permitted reasons.

The Government?s message is only travel if you must, stay local and reduce the number of journeys you make.

Find out more about Tier 4 restrictions on the Government website.

If you do need to travel, please walk or cycle where possible.

To aid social distancing for those who do need to travel, we are continuing to run as full a service as possible on the public transport network. An enhanced cleaning regime is also in place to help keep everyone safe.

Please check before you travel on TfL.gov.uk for the latest service information, plan ahead and travel in the quiet times using quiet routes.

If you do need to travel please ensure you follow all Government guidance, including washing your hands before and after your journey, maintaining social distancing and observing the law on wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth for the duration of your journey.

Government advice for safer travel can also be found here.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely

Vernon Everitt
Managing Director, Customers, Communication & Technology

[Jamsdad]

And if the tube closes how to key workers get to their places of work?
It won't happen.

[TaplowGreen]

Worrying signs this evening (from 2130)


Bakerloo Line
No service due to the unavailability of control room staff. Tickets will be accepted on local bus services. Train service will resume at 07:30 Wednesday morning.