<p>The British government took over the railways on Monday in a bid to ensure services keep running for key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.</p>.<p>The transport ministry said it was suspending normal franchise agreements with private operators, taking over "all revenue and cost risk" for at least six months.</p>.<p>Train services are being reduced from Monday, as passenger numbers slump in the wake of government advice to avoid all non-essential travel to stem the outbreak of COVID-19.</p>.<p>The government updated this advice late on Sunday, warning people not to travel to "second homes, camp sites, caravan parks" whether for holiday or to isolate themselves.</p>.<p>It followed concerns about how many people flocked to rural beauty spots and beaches over the weekend, defying advice to stay away from other people.</p>.<p>Several politicians are calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to impose tougher measures to force people to comply.</p>.<p>Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Monday that some people's behaviour was "very selfish", warning they must keep two metres apart.</p>.<p>"We're willing if we have to, to take more action," he told BBC radio.</p>.<p>MPs on Monday debate proposed emergency legislation to give police and immigration officers increased powers to force people to isolate themselves.</p>.<p>The Department for Transport's plan will see train operators continue to run services day to day, for a small management fee.</p>.<p>"We are taking this action to protect the key workers who depend on our railways to carry on their vital roles," said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.</p>.<p>At the same time, the move would give "operators the confidence and certainty so they can play their part in the national interest", he said.</p>.<p>A ministry statement warned that leaving operators to go bust "would cause significantly more disruption to passengers and higher costs to the taxpayer".</p>.<p>The management fees will be set at a maximum of two percent of the cost base of the franchise before the outbreak began.</p>.<p>Passengers with existing tickets on services that have been cancelled will get refunds, Shapps said.</p>.<p>Johnson on Sunday warned the spread of coronavirus was "accelerating" in Britain, as the number of dead rose to 281.</p>
<p>The British government took over the railways on Monday in a bid to ensure services keep running for key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.</p>.<p>The transport ministry said it was suspending normal franchise agreements with private operators, taking over "all revenue and cost risk" for at least six months.</p>.<p>Train services are being reduced from Monday, as passenger numbers slump in the wake of government advice to avoid all non-essential travel to stem the outbreak of COVID-19.</p>.<p>The government updated this advice late on Sunday, warning people not to travel to "second homes, camp sites, caravan parks" whether for holiday or to isolate themselves.</p>.<p>It followed concerns about how many people flocked to rural beauty spots and beaches over the weekend, defying advice to stay away from other people.</p>.<p>Several politicians are calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to impose tougher measures to force people to comply.</p>.<p>Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Monday that some people's behaviour was "very selfish", warning they must keep two metres apart.</p>.<p>"We're willing if we have to, to take more action," he told BBC radio.</p>.<p>MPs on Monday debate proposed emergency legislation to give police and immigration officers increased powers to force people to isolate themselves.</p>.<p>The Department for Transport's plan will see train operators continue to run services day to day, for a small management fee.</p>.<p>"We are taking this action to protect the key workers who depend on our railways to carry on their vital roles," said Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.</p>.<p>At the same time, the move would give "operators the confidence and certainty so they can play their part in the national interest", he said.</p>.<p>A ministry statement warned that leaving operators to go bust "would cause significantly more disruption to passengers and higher costs to the taxpayer".</p>.<p>The management fees will be set at a maximum of two percent of the cost base of the franchise before the outbreak began.</p>.<p>Passengers with existing tickets on services that have been cancelled will get refunds, Shapps said.</p>.<p>Johnson on Sunday warned the spread of coronavirus was "accelerating" in Britain, as the number of dead rose to 281.</p>