Passengers today told of a visible impact on Britain’s transport network as coronavirus caused terrified Britons to abandon their usual travel plans.
The London Underground appeared markedly less busy as more people opt to work from home in a desperate bid to avoid coming into contact with the deadly disease.
Elsewhere, Heathrow Airport looked almost empty as it was revealed there has been a 4.8 per cent year-on-year decline in passenger numbers in February due to the virus.
In Birmingham, ‘worried’ commuters spoke of ’empty trains’ and ‘cancelled meetings’ as they warned of a ‘a tough couple of months’ ahead.
And in Manchester, train passengers spoke of quieter carriages and the measures they have chosen to avoid catching the virus, as one revealed: ‘I wasn’t close to other people and deliberately so.’
It comes as a Transport for London boss revealed there had been a two per cent decline in passenger numbers across the network last week due to fears over the virus.
Passengers on the Underground told of their coronavirus fears on tightly packed tube trains. Some travellers spoke about ‘panic’ and people ‘jumping out of their skin’ when they hear a sneeze.
While others said passengers were ‘sitting further apart’ and that ‘a third of the trains are empty’ as they spoke of their concerns about taking public transport.
The number of UK cases has risen by 130 and the death toll hit 10 in the last 24 hours, with experts increasingly bracing for turmoil as fears grow a large proportion of the population could become infected.
Heathrow Airport looked almost empty this morning as it was revealed there has been a 4.8 per cent year-on-year decline in passenger numbers in February due to the virus
The London Underground also looked markedly quieter today as a Transport for London boss revealed there had been a two per cent decline in passenger numbers across the network last week due to fears over the virus
There were a noticeably smaller number of passengers arriving at Gatwick Airport today as panic over coronavirus spreads across Britain
The usually packed Bank station appeared less busy that usual this morning as commuters appear to be avoiding public transport
Streets were quiet in central London this morning as fears around coronavirus spread across the UK. So far, 456 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, up from 373 on Tuesday
The UK death toll hit eight yesterday, and experts are increasingly bracing for turmoil as the overwhelming majority of the population becomes infected and the country develops ‘herd immunity’ (pictured, Heathrow Airport terminal 5 looking empty today)
Arrivals at Heathrow Airport appeared quieter than usual this morning as coronavirus fears grip the nation. It comes as Boris Johnson is set to defy demands for an immediate shutdown of schools and borders
The stairs at St Paul’s London Underground station appeared quit today as more and more Britons opt to work from home amid the coronavirus outbreak
The London Underground appeared quiet today as cases of coronavirus continue to rocket across the country today
Coronavirus was yesterday declared as a pandemic for the World Health Organization and shoppers around the world are stocking up on essentials as Britons appear to be avoiding public transport
The usually busting City of London appeared quieter than usual today as coronavirus fears spread across the country
Travellers using major airports across the UK told of quieter scenes at terminals today as coronavirus fear spreads
The UK government is not yet telling people to avoid public transport and Chancellor Rishi Sunak said today there is not currently the evidence to suggest that imposing travel bans will have any effect.
But panicked commuters have spoken of taking transport in the midst of the outbreak with some saying they’ve taken extra measures to ensure they don’t catch the virus.
DROP IN TUBE USE AS CONCERN GROWS OVER CORONAVIRUS
There has been a ‘small reduction’ in the number of people using the London Underground amid growing concern over coronavirus, Transport for London (TfL) said today.
The decline may be partly due to more people working from home, according to the transport body.
St Paul’s Underground station appeared empty today as concerns grow over the spread of coronavirus in the UK
A TfL spokesman said: ‘The overwhelming majority of Londoners are using our services as normal in line with the Public Health England advice that there is no specific concern about public transport.
‘We have seen a small reduction in ridership over the last week.
‘This may reflect some of the pre-emptive action taken by some employers around coronavirus, but passenger ridership is affected by a range of factors including fluctuations in the economy and extended periods of bad weather.’
Figures also show there was a 1.6% year-on-year fall in London Underground passenger numbers in the four weeks to February 22.
Bus use is down 0.2% over the same period.
Retailer Halfords has recorded a 30% increase in sales of commuter-friendly folding bikes during the last three weeks compared with the previous three weeks, suggesting some public transport users may have started cycling due to the virus.
At Manchester Piccadilly Station today, Denise Stow-Williamson, 69, from Bolton, who volunteers at a telephone helpline said trains were less busy than usual.
‘I would say the train was a bit more quiet than normal, we had no choice but to sit next to people,’ she said. ‘I noticed on the bus coming from where I live people were a bit more separated. I have not got a choice.’
Debs Mccahon, 46, from Bottesford, who works in children’s charity, said: ‘I come here once a month for work. It seemed quieter than normal, people just get on with it their own business.’
She added: ‘I wasn’t close to other people and deliberately so.’
Others said they were trying to keep calm amidst the outbreak. Brian Sumner, 59, from Alderley Edge, who is retired, said: ‘I come to Manchester once every two weeks. I am retired, I am having a lunch here with a friend who is coming from Leeds.
‘I do not always take that train but it wasn’t busy. The risk is worth taking, keep calm and carry on.’
While Jacqui Grainger, 46, from Preston, a manager at Vision Express said: ‘I normally do not come, or was just a one off. I’ve come to go shopping. I am not worried, the train wasn’t too bad. I am just taking the risk and keeping clean and washing my hands.’
In London TfL has launched an ‘enhanced cleaning regime’ in a bid to reduce the spread of coronavirus as it’s revealed there has been a ‘small reduction’ in the number of people using the London Underground amid growing concern over coronavirus.
The decline may be partly due to more people working from home, according to the transport body.
A TfL spokesman said: ‘The overwhelming majority of Londoners are using our services as normal in line with the Public Health England advice that there is no specific concern about public transport.
‘We have seen a small reduction in ridership over the last week.
‘This may reflect some of the pre-emptive action taken by some employers around coronavirus, but passenger ridership is affected by a range of factors including fluctuations in the economy and extended periods of bad weather.’
The City of London was less busy than usual today (pictured, Cannon Street Station this morning). It is expected more people are working from home due to the spread of coronavirus in the UK
The entrance to Manchester Piccadilly today as Boris Johnson is expected to move to the delay phase of tackling the UK spread of Covid-19 as Ireland announced the closure of schools and tourist attractions
Birmingham New Street today as UK coronavirus stand at 460 and there have been eight deaths in British hospitals
Manchester Piccadilly today as it was revealed the Prime Minister might bring in social distancing measures to restrict public gatherings and issuing more widespread advice to stay at home
The FTSE 100 index of leading London-listed companies fell more than 5 per cent in early trading following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of a pandemic (pictured the City of London today)
Some commuters wore face masks on the London Underground today as coronavirus fears spread across the UK
The City of London was less busy than usual today (pictured Cannon Street Station). It is expected more people are working from home due to the spread of coronavirus in the UK
Some travellers arriving at Gatwick Airport today wore face masks as concerns over coronavirus spread across the UK
The London Underground today as Transport for London said there has been a ‘small reduction’ in the number of people using the London Underground amid growing concern over coronavirus
So far, 456 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK, up from 373 on Tuesday – the largest daily jump – and eight people have died as the World Health Organisation declares the virus a pandemic
Travellers have told of how airports seem markedly less busy due to coronavirus fears. One said their plane was ‘half empty’
Figures also show there was a 1.6 per cent year-on-year fall in London Underground passenger numbers in the four weeks to February 22. Bus use is down 0.2 per cent over the same period.
Passengers on the London Underground today told of their coronavirus fears on tightly packed tube trains.
Harriet Aber-Luwum, 51, a social services administration supervisor from Willesden Green, north west London was travelling on the Victoria Line.
She said: ‘People are more aware and so some get anxious about going on the tube.
She added: ‘You become a lot more conscious of it in the train if someone is coughing and then people move away. But you have to go on the tube to get to work, so it’s a risk you have to take.’
Ivalina Bacharva, 54, a cleaner from Edmonton, north London, was travelling on the Victoria Line.
She said: ‘I worry a bit going on the tube. If somebody is coughing, then I’m worried. When I come on here I use antibacterial hand gel and try not to hold the handles.
‘I have seen people avoiding other people, yesterday I saw someone cough without s tissue – that’s really bad. I have noticed that there are less people on the Tube, less people in the pub too.’
Yasmine Benchakroun, 25, who lives in central London and is a business management and marketing student at the University of Westminster, was travelling on the Circle Line.
She said: ‘I’m taking the train and I’m panicking about coronavirus. Everyone is scared but for me, as a young person, I know that it’s not going to affect me so badly. But we will infect older people.
‘When you sneezed on the tube before it used to be “God bless you.” But now it’s “Get away from me!” I gave my friend a mask, but she doesn’t want to wear it.’
IT manager Dan Little, 27, of Harlow, Essex, was travelling on the Circle line. He said: ‘I came into London and used the tube on Saturday and it was really quiet then – people are cutting down on non-residential travel.
‘But coming to work nothing had changed, we have got to go into work; things haven’t stopped. ‘It’s a confined space and you can prepare yourself as much as you want, but you are relying on people to do the same.’
People wore face masks in central London today as coronavirus fears spread across the capital
Chancery Lane Underground Station appeared less busy than usual today. More people are thought to be working from home as the virus spreads across the country
A married couple had a photo shoot outside St Paul’s Cathedral today, but the photographers made sure to wear face masks
The streets outside St Paul’s Cathedral today as the number of coronavirus cases in Britain as the number of UK cases rose by 130 and the death toll hit 10 in the last 24 hours
Experts are increasingly bracing for turmoil as the overwhelming majority of the population becomes infected and the country develops ‘herd immunity’ (pictured, St Paul’s Underground Station today)
Gatwick Airport appeared quiet today as coronavirus fears spread across the country. The FTSE plunged by more than 9 per cent in response to the dramatic US announcement of a travel ban from Europe overnight, and growing global chaos
Signs have been put up at Heathrow Airport today warning passengers of disruption due to coronavirus. The airport appeared noticeably quieter
The City of London appeared less busy than usual today. It is expected more people are working from home due to the spread of coronavirus in the UK (pictured, a man wears a mask while walking through the city)
Boris Johnson is expected to accept that the coronavirus outbreak can no longer be contained in the UK, signalling the start of the next phase in the battle against Covid-19 (pictured, Heathrow Airport today)
The London Underground appeared less busy today as workers opt for different means of transport
Westminster Station today as the number of dead from coronavirus rose to 10 today. The FTSE 100 has lost more than one 10th of its value as global stock markets faced a rout in the face of Covid-19 fears
Pictures showed a visibly quieter transport network in London today, with some Underground platforms almost empty.
Alice Adshead, 29, a construction project manager living in Ealing, west London but originally from Manchester, was travelling on the Northern Line.
She said: ‘I have got a lot of friends who are germaphobes or on the spectrum of OCD and they are struggling a bit more because it’s exacerbating concerns they already had about the Tube – I think its causing anxiety.
‘Things are different, now if someone sneezes everyone jumps out of their skin.’
Antonio Bertio, 66, a retired electrical technician living in Mitcham, south London, said: ‘Put it this way, the trains are empty, tourists are missing.
‘I try to avoid contact if I can. I am Italian, I have a lot of family I am concerned about.’
Chris Callanan, 31, a courier from Greenwich, south east London, travelling on the Circle Line, said: ‘I work in the travel industry, courier for a visa company, no one is travelling.
‘People I know are losing their jobs and it is likely that I will lose mine. I’ve been washing my hands more, but I can’t find any masks to buy.’
James Triming, 50, a sales manager based in Chelsea, west London, travelling on the Circle line, said: ‘There is definitely more paranoia. ‘About a third of the trains are empty and 50 per cent of the people at my work are working from home.
‘I’m worried about being in contact with vulnerable people like my father who is in his 80s.’
Chetan Patel, 39, a manager at a shop inside Embankment station but who lives in Romford, Essex, said: ‘People are coming to buy hand gel and we’re sold out. The platforms are more empty, less people are buying from me.’
Transport for London bosses said additional substances which kill viruses and bacteria are being used across the networks in a bid to combat the virus.
The busiest stations will be cleaned more regularly than usual, including during the day.
Bus parts which are regularly touched – such as poles and doors – will be wiped down with a strong disinfectant every day.
Heathrow airport terminal 5 looked empty today amid coronavirus fears. In the UK cases stand at 460 and there have been eight deaths in British hospitals
A lone cleaning machine stands in an empty terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow Airport today as coronavirus cases spread across the UK
Passengers preparing to depart from Stansted airport in Essex this morning
A sign at London’s Heathrow Airport today warning passengers to be aware of coronavirus symptoms
Heathrow airport terminal 5 looking empty today
A quiet Manchester Piccadilly Station today amid coronavirus fears
Some commuters in Birmingham New Street Station today wore face masks
With the Coronavirus spreading and extra measures being put in place to slow the spread (pictured, Birmingham New Street today)
People were seen wearing face masks outside St Paul’s Cathedral today as the City of London appeared less busy due to fears over coronavirus
A man wears a face mask, goggles and gloves on London’s Underground today in a bid to protect himself from coronavirus
Londoners have told of how the city appears much quieter than usual during the coronavirus outbreak (above and below)
Olive Hickey, 29, a sales manager from Fulham, west London, travelling on the Northern Line said: ‘I’m not panicking, but I’ve noticed more people moving away from each other. I’m sanitising my hands and not touching handles on the escalator.’
Anna Maria Dillon, 50, a nanny from Belsize Park, north London, said: ‘I am taking care when travelling on public transport, I’m not touching the poles. I am also a student, learning English and I am a nanny; I am concerned if schools close.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said he is doing all he can to keep Londoners safe and has announced an enhanced cleaning regime.
He said: ‘I want to reassure Londoners and visitors that the advice from experts is to continue with our daily lives as normal, including using public transport.’
At Heathrow, the airport warned that demand has continued to weaken in March.
The airport’s chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: ‘The threat of coronavirus is an increasing challenge for the UK and we are working day and night to ensure Britain’s front door is open and safe for our people and passengers.
‘We will continue to work with the Government to limit the impacts this will have on UK plc.’
At Birmingham New Street today a few worried travellers could be seen wearing masks while others had pulled their scarves up to their noses.
Toby Darbyshire,36, a father-of-two, who works a sales manager for a drinking company and his job involves a lot of travelling, had to cancel his trip to London today due to coronavirus concerns.
He said: ‘I travel all over the country and my job involves going into pubs and talk to a lot of people. I have been told to minimise non- business related travelling- I had to cancel a meeting with a client today.
‘I am trying to take preventative measures as much as I can, I always carry hand sanitizer and wash my hands. I’m diligent.
‘My job is quite mobile and I need to touch things and shake peoples hands so I am trying to be responsible, I have two kids.
‘I went to Glasgow on Monday and I noticed although all the seats were booked, the train was half empty.
‘I can see how businesses are going to get affected. People are not risking to go into the pubs anymore but the businesses still have rent and bills to pay. It’s going to be a tough couple of months’.
Ryan Patterson ,29, who works as a plumber has to travel daily for work and was on his way Cheltenham festival.
He said: ‘There are definitely less people travelling, I get the train every day and I noticed. I have seen people wearing masks and using hand sanitizers, they are more cautious.’
The London Underground today with some commuters wearing masks whilst others ignore the warnings
Travel on the Underground appeared less busy than usual today amid coronavirus fears
Bank Station in central London today amid coronavirus fears. Should the UK move to delay today it would mean social distancing measures could be brought in, such as restricting public gatherings and issuing advice to stay at home
Some arriving at Gatwick Airport wore masks to protect themselves from coronavirus
Passengers arriving from Rome at Gatwick Airport today as coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country
The District Line today as coronavirus cases spread across the UK. Some wore masks in a bid to protect themselves from the virus
In the UK, the PM is holding an emergency Cobra meeting where ministers are expected to agree to move into the ‘delay’ stage of the process (pictured, stairs on the London Underground today)
Ryan Patterson in Birmingham New Street Station on his way to the Cheltenham Festival of horse racing. Denise Stow-Williamson, 69, talks about Coronavirus worries on trains to Manchester Piccadilly
A quiet Manchester Piccadilly Station this morning
Heathrow airport Terminal 5 looked empty today as coronavirus hits airlines across the world
Heathrow Airport looked almost empty as it was revealed there has been a 4.8 per cent year-on-year decline in passenger numbers in February due to the virus
Bank Station seemed less busy than usual today as the number of Britons taking the tube declines as a result of coronavirus
John Patience, 65, works for oil and gas company and his job involves a lot of travelling.
He said: ‘I travel often because of my job , I don’t really have a choice. I noticed yesterday at the Cheltenham station they have put hand sanitizer too.
‘I think people on the train are more aware of the situation and are more careful. ‘
Zairb Griffiths, 24, travels roughly every two weeks. He said: ‘I have noticed less people in the shops. On the trains there are a few people more careful and protecting themselves’.
Student of Birmingham City Sophie Collins, 22, said she is very concerned about coronavirus as she was applying hand gel to her hands.
She said: ‘ I am very worried, I wash my hands all the time, use hand gel and disinfect my phone.
‘I use the train every day and I see people doing the same – I can’t say people are travelling less but it’s obvious there is a general concern.
‘My course finishes in two weeks but if I had the option I wouldn’t travel at all.’
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said it could see a reduction in passenger numbers but added it was too early to release any specific figures.
Passengers travelling across Britain have spoken of a visible reduction in the number of people using public transport.
Several of those arriving at Gatwick Airport today wore face masks as they arrived back in the country
Commuters in Birmingham New Street Station today as cases of coronavirus spread across the UK
Travellers wore face masks as they arrived at Heathrow Airport this morning. The airport’s chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, said: ‘The threat of coronavirus is an increasing challenge for the UK’
Bank Station in central London today as No10 dismissed suggestions they will emulate Ireland, which announced this morning that it will close all schools and colleges – although the step is being kept in the locker in case the situation escalates
Passengers arrive at Gatwick Airport today amid a rise in coronavirus cases across the United Kingdom today
Passengers preparing to depart from Stansted airport in Essex this morning
Alison Thiafall, 54, a mother of two, travels regularly and said she wanted a lockdown instigated as soon as possible.
She said: ‘I would self-isolate if I had it and probably avoid seeing my mother and father. I check the government updated and I think we will be on lockdown soon- at least we should.
‘We should be in lockdown, clean everything and contain it that way but we have to wait for now.’
Rebecca Hartley, 39 , an HR director is on maternity leave and was about to travel with her 6 mo old baby Alex.
She said : ‘I am not overly cautious I probably should have. I wash my hands but there’s not much else I can do.
‘The trains are very quiet these days and I have seen a few people wearing masks.
‘We are two weeks behind Italy so I think it is going to peak eventually and we will be in lockdown probably closer to the Easter holidays.
‘I am trying to be sensible and not travel if not necessary, I have two kids’.
Britain’s quieter transport network comes as Boris Johnson is today set to defy demands for an immediate shutdown of schools and borders as the UK admits it can only ‘delay’ mass spread of coronavirus to avoid being swamped with cases.
No10 has also dismissed suggestions they will emulate Ireland, which announced this morning that it will close all schools and colleges – although the step is being kept in the locker in case the situation escalates.
In the first sign of splits within the UK, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today declared that she is ‘minded’ to cancel mass gatherings of over 500 people from the start of next week.
The government has also made clear it will not follow Donald Trump’s dramatic overnight move of closing the borders to travellers from mainland Europe.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who yesterday unveiled a huge £30billion Budget package to ‘vaccinate’ the economy from the impact of coronavirus, today said the UK was not following the US example.
‘The advice we are getting is that there is not evidence that interventions like closing borders or travel bans are going to have a material effect on the spread of the infections,’ he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. ‘That is why we have taken the decisions that we have.’
Asked whether the PM knew of Mr Trump’s escalation in advance, Downing Street said today: ‘UK and US officials are in regular contact.