The suggestion of a return to public transport in early May has been greeted with alarm by key figures, as the public faces at least three more weeks of lockdown.
With the UK's COVID-19 death toll at more than 16,000 now, and the economic pressures of the lockdown hurting, speculation and concern have grown about potential exit strategies.
The government has given conflicting briefings to the media since last week when it announced a three-week extension to the national lockdown together with five tests for reopening the country.
First, a three-stage exit plan was released to the media only for the government to row back and follow up with a briefing suggesting the prime minister had concerns.
The plan suggested the public, and not just key workers, could be waved back onto public transport in three weeks time but asked to wear face masks and maintain social distancing.
The idea was scorned by London ASLEF union representative Finn Brennan, who along with other union figures has been demanding PPE for transport workers in London.
At least 26 transport workers have died from COVID-19 in the capital for far, most of them bus drivers.
Network Rail chair Sir Peter Hendy suggested to the BBC that social distancing could be observed when people came back to public transport. However, other commentators like transport expert Christian Wolmar have questioned whether this is realistic.
First secretary of state, Dominic Raab, outlined five key tests that will dictate when the lockdown restrictions will be lifted:
- NHS capacity - 'we must be confident we can provide sufficient critical and specialist treatment across the UK'
- A sustained and consistent fall in daily death rates
- Reliable data from SAGE showing the rate of infection is falling across the board
- Operational challenges, including testing capacity and PPE provision, are handled so that supply is meeting demand
- Any adjustments will not risk a second peak that could overwhelm the NHS
Under law, the government must carry out a review of the lockdown restrictions every three weeks.
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