Latest data from Government shows that the number of motor vehicle journeys on Monday fell to below 30% of that seen in February. Rail and bus journeys over the Easter period also did not rise.

At the daily Downing Street press briefing yesterday, NHS England’s medical director Stephen Powis said: “We continue to see much reduced activity in public transport and vehicle transport. Compliance levels are very high and we need to keep it that way.

“We absolutely need to make sure we keep the benefits of this (restrictions on movement) going forward, and don’t take the foot off the pedal or become complacent.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak told the public: “Thank you for complying with the social distancing guidelines over what was a very sunny Bank Holiday Weekend. I know it’s difficult for all of us, but we are getting through it and we can all look forward to happier times.”

Separate mobility data promoted by the Government on Monday, based on information from Google, also showed that the number of journeys to public transport hubs including subway, bus and train stations fell 70% compared to three weeks earlier.

Visits to collect groceries and medicines from pharmacies fell 41%, trips to public parks and beaches came down by 29% and journeys to places of work fell by 54%.

Elsewhere, new statistics from Cycling Scotland show a significant increase in the number of people cycling compared to the same period last year. Automatic cycle counters recorded three times as many riders on Kingseat Road in Dunfermline last month compared to March 2019.

“Many people are rediscovering cycling during lockdown, for exercise or essential journeys,” the group’s chief executive Keith Irving said. “I hope people continue to cycle when we emerge from this crisis and carry on benefiting from the massive positive impact cycling has on our physical and mental health.”

Heathrow Airport also released data this week, showing that passenger numbers in March were around half that compared with the same month last year. Airport bosses predict that demand for air travel at the west London site could decrease by over 90% during April.

(Photograph: Network Rail)