London commuters told to cover their faces as some ignore official guidelines

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Transport bosses today urged Londoners to cover their faces on public transport after many commuters ignored new government guidelines on masks.

Official advice published on Monday called on train and bus passengers to use a 'face covering' in confined spaces where social distancing is impossible.

But the measure is not compulsory and large numbers of commuters chose to travel without any obvious mask or face covering.

Passengers wear face masks on a Central Line

The return to work as lockdown rules were eased prompted only a mild rise in Tube passenger numbers during the rush hour.> London Underground reported an increase of just 4,148 passengers between 7am and 10am compared to last Wednesday.> Overcrowding hotspots included the Victoria Line where a passenger was taken ill, leading to delays and a build-up of passengers.