THE VIRUS IN BRIEF

TRAIN and bus services are set to be cancelled as millions abandon travel plans.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he wants to avoid “ghost trains”, while services across the country were already being scaled back yesterday.

Many train companies said more journeys are being cancelled as staff self-isolate.

Bus operators are shifting to “Sunday services” and National Express will cut capacity by 80 per cent – equivalent to its Christmas Day timetable.

Transport for London shut 40 Underground stations while the Night Tube was cancelled.

Northern, TransPennine Express, South Western Railway and Great Western Railway said some services would stop.

Robert Nisbet, of the Rail Delivery Group, said train companies will operate services to “as many places as possible in line with demand”.

MILLIONS of struggling households are to be given help keeping their lights and heating on. Customers using pre-payment meters who are unable to top up their credit have been told to speak to suppliers to ask for support. Bill payers in financial distress will also be given extra help. Business Secretary Alok Sharma said the emergency package deal with energy suppliers would mean the “most in need can rest assured that a secure supply of energy will continue to flow into their homes during this difficult time”. Experts say Britain’s gas and electricity grids should be able to keep the power running during the crisis. Falling factory output will reduce demand.

THE 2020 Invictus Games, which were due to be held in the Netherlands, in May have been called off.

The sporting competition, founded by the Duke of Sussex, is likely to be rescheduled to May or June 2021.

Harry, who is quitting as a senior royal at the end of the month, was set to travel to Holland with the Duchess of Sussex to attend the event.

The competition brings together wounded, injured or sick services people from more than 20 countries.

In a statement, the Invictus Games Foundation said: “The decision was also taken in recognition of the anticipated strain on medical staff.”