With one-fifth of the entire world currently under quarantine, London is the latest city to stay at home. PM Boris Johnson announced the UK & London lockdown yesterday, which will be in place for three weeks. Under the new UK coronavirus containment measures:
- People must stay at home, except for very limited purposes
- Shop for essentials, as infrequently as possible
- Exercise outdoors once per day, alone or with household members
- Receive medical treatment or provide care
- Close non-essential shops and community spaces
- Stop all gatherings of more than two people in public
Up until yesterday, there were reports of larger social gatherings and busy Tubes, as many concerned London residents called on the government to force an official lockdown. Waking up this morning, the city looks quite different…
London Lockdown: Photos & Videos
Famous landmarks stand empty…
London landmarks empty after Boris Johnson announces coronavirus lockdown https://t.co/IEutAhuDtL pic.twitter.com/cmZzZGDida
— ITV News (@itvnews) March 23, 2020
Transport in London is a mixed bag, with some stations totally empty and other key transport lines packed full…
A new PA system on the Underground announces “You should not be using public transport or travelling for anything other than essential journeys.”
This afternoon I returned to London. Streets are virtually empty as was the Tube Stations pic.twitter.com/N9aPxerPs0
— Mike Hill MP (@MikeHillMP) March 23, 2020
Several social media users are reporting busy Tube trains this morning on their commute:
“I live in Zone 4 and work in a Zone 1 hospital. I love my job, but now I’m risking my health just on the journey in?”
This is my tube this morning. I live in zone 4 and work in a zone 1 hospital. I love my job, but now I'm risking my health just on the journey in?!@SadiqKhan put the tube service back to normal so we can all spread out, or @BorisJohnson start policing who's getting on. Help me! pic.twitter.com/x5moYM8wWN
— Nicola Smith (@nsmith694) March 24, 2020
@SadiqKhan London’s idea of lockdown! As an NHS worker I’m struggling to get to work! pic.twitter.com/BE9CfQTqFF
— Stephanie Brookfield (@Steph_Brook1283) March 24, 2020
Londoners – as usual – are taking it on the chin
The Eye may not be turning but we wake up and the world still is! Reassuring sights in London as we enter lockdown. We’ll get through this! #coronavirusuk @piersmorgan @susannareid100 @GMB pic.twitter.com/t9cu9BJcUO
— Jonathan Swain (@SwainITV) March 24, 2020
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah Clayton-Lea
Co-founder of Big 7 Travel, Sarah created the company through her passion for championing the world's best food and travel experiences. Before her career in digital media, where she previously held roles such as Editor of Food&Wine Ireland, Sarah worked in the hospitality industry in Dublin and New York. Contact [email protected]