Staff shortages, caused by control room workers receiving isolation alerts via the NHS Covid-19 app, led to the temporary suspension of a London Underground line over the weekend.
The Metropolitan line between Aldgate and Amersham, Buckinghamshire was forced to close on Saturday July 17, 2021 due to an insufficient number of available control room operators.
Services have since resumed, with Transport for London (TfL) and Richard Jones, Head of Network Operations at London Underground, apologising for last minute disruption caused for passengers, having had to rely on local bus services to support demand.
The delays occurred on the same day as Wembley Stadium hosted the Challenge Cup final, with many rugby league fans being forced to find alternative routes to the ground - with the Metropolitan line service being one of the traditional main ways to the ground.
The Piccadilly line between South Harrow and Uxbridge and the District line between High Street Kensington and Edgware Road were also affected.
There have been growing concerns among transport unions that further disruptions will be felt across UK public transport as restrictions ease and infection rates rise, with more staff either contracting the virus or being alerted to isolate by the NHS Covid-19 app.
The latest Covid-19 figures show infection rising in all areas of London in the week up to July 12, with the highest rates (436 cases per 100,000) recorded in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Elsewhere in the country, public transport networks were feeling the significant strain of Covid-related staff shortages - with bus services in East Yorkshire suffering a similar delay the same day.
