It comes just a day after Boris Johnson told people to go back to work if they couldn’t do it from home under a new policy to tackle the Coronavirus pandemic. Transport for London (TfL) also asked passengers to wear face coverings.

The guidance issued by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also suggested Londoners should carry hand sanitiser. He advised the Tube will only be able to carry 13 to 15 percent of normal capacity.

The announcement covers people using the London Underground network, buses, black cabs and minicabs.

But key workers commuting to work have claimed travelling on the Tube was a “suicide mission”.

Terry McCarthy, 37, a supermarket store manager, who travelled from Canada Water said that the move was “dangerous and people’s lives at risk”.

He added: “Both the platform and the train were busier than what it has been the last few weeks.

“There were too many people in the carriage and social distancing was impossible to maintain.”

Another said on social media: “The commute this morning is like a suicide mission, no social distancing, all cramped coaches on tubes, yet you still say stay alert, control the virus.”

Whilst another questioned: “Now that the government is asking some sectors to return to work, is TfL going to prioritise key workers, such as NHS staff and care workers, on public transport so that they can get to work safely and on time?”

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said the government’s new policy risked unleashing “total chaos”.

He added: “This is a ridiculous and dangerous way to treat both staff and passengers alike and will have potentially lethal consequences.

“Maintaining social distancing on trains and tube is a massive logistical exercise that requires planning, resources and the protection of staff managing the flows of passengers.

“To rush that exercise is a disgrace.”

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Referring to possible strike action, he stressed: “We will have no hesitation in protecting our members health, safety and livelihoods by whatever means required.”

Following the commuter chaos, Health Secretary Matt Hancock hinted the government may intervene to increase the number of tubes running.

Speaking on ITV’s This Morning earlier, he said: “Less than one in six people commute on public transport, of course that figure is much bigger in London.

“People should avoid public transport unless they absolutely have to use it because it is safer when there is fewer people on it.

“We will be increasing the number of trains and Tubes to improve social distancing. But it is crucial key workers can use it safely.”

He suggested more people should get on a bike to go to work adding: “You say not everybody can cycle, that’s true, but lots more people can than do and now is actually a good time to start cycling to work because there is hardly any traffic on the roads so it’s much more pleasant to cycle than in normal times.”

Transport for London however said the new face mask measure could prevent people with COVID-19 infecting others.

The authority said in a statement: “Please travel outside of peak times and use a facial covering, carry a hand sanitiser and wash your hands before and after you travel.

“The latest Government advice is that, although face coverings are unlikely to prevent you from getting the virus, they could help prevent you from giving it to others.

“Face coverings are particularly important where two-metre social distancing is hard to maintain.”

The Department for Transport also issued similar guidance on travelling safely during the pandemic stating that passengers should minimise the time they spend near other people and avoid physical contact with them.

The guidance added: “There may be situations where you can’t keep a suitable distance from people’, such as on busier services or at peak times.

“In these cases you should avoid physical contact, try to face away from other people.’

“The risk of infection increases the closer you are to another person with the virus and the amount of time you spend in close contact.’

TfL is also expected to restore services on the Circle Line and reopen some of the 40 stations that have been closed since March since lockdown started.

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