Sadiq Khan must end “only key workers” travel rule after PM changes stay at home advice

Sadiq Khan has been urged to end his misleading “only key workers” travel rule after the Prime Minister encouraged Britons to go to work if they can’t work from home. City Hall Tories’ Leader Susan Hall told Khan today to get in line with the government, end his false travel rule, and restore London’s Tube service to allow Londoners who must travel to work and key workers to commute safely.

The Mayor introduced the overly restrictive travel rule on Transport for London services after his decision to cut Tube services resulted in dangerous overcrowding. Using posters at Tube stations and social media, Khan has ordered Londoners who can’t work from home to stay there despite the government permitting them to travel.

Last night, the Prime Minister said people “should go to work if you can’t work from home” such as construction and manufacturing workers and that the government was working to make their workplaces “Covid-secure”. Sadiq Khan’s false travel rule is now unnecessarily preventing Londoners from returning to work and jeopardising their livelihoods.

Susan Hall AM, Leader of the GLA Conservatives, commented: “Many Londoners are anxious about their jobs during the lockdown, and none more so than those who can’t work from home. That’s why the Prime Minister is right to encourage people who can’t work from home to return to work. “It’s clear the lockdown is here to stay for some time, and the vast majority of people must still stay at home. However, Sadiq Khan’s travel rule telling everyone but key workers to stay at home is distorting the government’s rules and preventing Londoners who should return to work from travelling.

“As Mayor, it is Sadiq Khan’s responsibility to provide the Tube service London desperately needs. His decision to drastically cut London Underground services has resulted in dangerous overcrowding. Khan must urgently restore London’s Tube service to safely accommodate not only key workers but those who must travel to work. “The Mayor must get in line with government advice, end his misleading travel rule, and urgently restore London’s Tube service. If not he’s confusing the government’s stay at home message, putting Londoners’ jobs at risk, and risking further overcrowding. 

“If people can walk and cycle they should, but in London, many people are reliant on public transport. That’s why it’s crucial the Mayor restores London’s Tube service and unveils a plan to get London moving safely.”

PM: "You should go to work if you can't work from home"