Paddington and Farringdon stations resembled ghost towns this morning

The impact of Boris Johnson’s sombre warnings about the spread of coronavirus were plain to see in London this morning as train platforms usually swarming with commuters stood virtually empty.

Mr Johnson announced yesterday that officials would now be moving into the ‘delay’ phase of plans to tackle the ‘worst public health crisis for a generation’. It came as the number of UK deaths rose to 10 and 596 people were confirmed as infected.

But health chiefs suggested the true number of cases could be as high as 10,000 – with 80 percent of the population possibly contracting the disease in a worst-case scenario.



The warnings seemed to have struck a cord in the capital, as the usual swarm of passengers clogging up walkways and platforms during the morning rush hour were nowhere to be seen.


An empty platform at Farringdon Station the day after the Prime Minister said that Covid-19 ‘is the worst public health crisis for a generation’ (Picture: PA)

Platford usually swelling with commuters stood virtually empty (Picture: PA)

Similar scenes were replicated at Paddington (Picture: PA)

Farringdon and Paddington stations resembled ghost towns this morning as commuters shunned public transport or opted to work at home.

Transport for London announced a two per cent drop in passengers last week as concerns grew around the spread of Covid-19.

Around two million people use it everyday. A driver on the Jubilee Line, one of the busiest on the London Underground network, tested positive for the infection on Friday. However, it is understood their duties mean they had no direct contact with the public during the course of their work.

Empty tubes with virtually no passengers during the usually busy commute on Thursday (Picture: W8 Media/Backgrid)

Commuters appear to have either shunned public transport or decided to work from home (Picture: W8 Media/Backgrid)

TfL announced a small drop in tube use last week as concerns over the virus grew (Picture: W8 Media.Backgrid)

The apparent exodus comes after some supermarkets saw their shelves stripped bare of supplies including hand gels and pasta.

It prompted the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance to reassure the public there was ‘absolutely no reason’ to stockpile essentials.

He added that special measures would be introduced to distribute food and medical products in the event of mass quarantines.

Empty shelves in supermarket a food aisle as consumers worry about product shortages (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

The spread of the virus sparked panic buying (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Shelves were stripped bare as shoppers stocked up on essentials (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

The stampedes prompted the government’s chief scientific adviser to announce there was ‘absolutely no need’ to stockpile (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

During the PM’s press conference with Sir Patrick and chief medical officer Chris Whitty on Thursday he urged anyone with a cough or fever to self-isolate at home for seven days in a bid to preserve Covid-19 tests for patients admitted to hospital.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson (centre) with Chief Medical Officer for England Chris Whitty (left) and Sir Patrick (right), speaking during a press conference at 10 Downing Street (Picture: PA)

Mr Johnson refrained from implementing tougher measures such as closing schools and outlawing mass gatherings, but warned: ‘I must level with you, the British public.

‘Many more families are going to lose loved ones before their time.’

The experts suggested the UK is currently around four weeks behind Italy, where Covid-19 has killed more than 1,000 people, adding that the crisis is not likely to peak here for another 10 to 14 weeks.

UK government's coronavirus action plan Boris Johnson has revealed the government's battle plan to tackle coronavirus in the UK. The key points from the announcement, made on 3 March, are: - If police lose 'significant staff' numbers to illness, they would 'concentrate 'on responding to serious crimes and maintaining public order'.

- In a 'stretching scenario', it is possible that up to one fifth of employees may be absent from work during peak weeks.

- Everyone will face increased pressures at work, as well as potentially their own illness and caring responsibilities. Supporting staff welfare 'will be critical' for businesses. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video - The UK has stockpiles of medicines for the NHS, plus protective clothing and equipment for medical staff.

- The public can help delay the spread of the virus by washing hands with soap regularly, not spreading misinformation and relying on trusted sources. They should also ensure family vaccines are up to date and check on family, friends and neighbours. They should also check Foreign Office advice before travelling abroad and be understanding of the pressures the health service is under.

- The public will be asked to accept that 'the advice for managing Covid-19 for most people will be self-isolation at home and simple over the counter medicines'.

- If coronavirus becomes established, there will be a focus on essential services and helping those 'most at risk to access the right treatment'.

- During the mitigation phase, when the virus is much more widespread, 'pressures on services and wider society may become significant and clearly noticeable'.

- The Ministry of Defence will provide support as needed, including to essential services.

- There will be increased Government communication with Parliament, the public and the media if the virus becomes more widespread.

- All Government departments to have a lead person for coronavirus. MORE: Coronavirus UK: The answers to your top questions about Covid-19 – from the current death toll to its symptoms To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video - If the virus takes hold, social distancing strategies could include school closures, encouraging greater home working, reducing the number of large scale gatherings and closing other educational settings.

- It is possible that an outbreak or pandemic of Covid-19 could come in multiple waves.

- Non-urgent operations and other procedures could be cancelled, and hospital discharges monitored to free-up beds, with appropriate care in people's homes.

- Hospital worker shifts could be altered and leavers or retirees called 'back to duty'.

- Measures exist to help businesses with short-term cash flow problems.

- There is a distribution strategy for sending out key medicines and equipment to NHS and social care.

- This strain of coronavirus is new and people have a lack of immunity to it, meaning 'Covid-19 has the potential to spread extensively'.

- Everyone is susceptible to catching the disease and thus it is 'more likely than not that the UK will be significantly affected'.

- There could be an 'increase in deaths arising from the outbreak, particularly among vulnerable and elderly groups'.

- While most people will suffer mild to moderate symptoms, similar to seasonal flu, some will need hospital care due to pneumonia developing.

- Young children can become infected and 'suffer severe illness', but overall the illness is less common in the under-20s.