The Standard

Three months late and riddled with exemptions, the government is introducing quarantine rules for those who fly into the UK. They'll force people to self-isolate for 14 days, with exceptions including fruit pickers and possibly racing car drivers. Those who break the rules could be fined up to £1,000, but the Metropolitan police say it's not their job to enforce them. Our associate editor Julian Glover tells us why the Evening Standard's calling the laws "silly tokenism" and makes suggestions for how the government can safely allow people to take foreign holidays again. 

What are the rules for going outside this bank holiday, and is it alright to buy a pint? The Evening Standard's Amira Hashish has been out in Notting Hill, where some bars and restaurants are offering takeaway services. She tells us how there's confusion about what you can and cannot do, but also excitement about being able to buy a drink from a real pub again. You can find lots of ideas for the bank holiday, both indoors and out, on the Evening Standard's website. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NHS surcharge that sees some non-EU migrant health and care workers paying £400 for access to services, whether they use them or not, is supposed to go up this year, but could it instead be scrapped? Several Tory backbenchers are joining calls for the government to dump the fee as the country recognises the importance of overseas staff in the health system. Our political editor Joe Murphy tells us Boris Johnson's own praise of the migrant workers who saved the Prime Minister's life is putting him in an awkward position in trying to defend the charge. 

More than 60,000 new Covid-19 infections are happening a week in England. The number from the Covid-19 Infection Survey, which is led by the Office for National Statistics, is far higher than the number of confirmed positive tests announced by the Government daily. Health authorities are now claiming Downing Street is in a race against time to get its delayed track and trace system up and running. The Evening Standard's Nicholas Cecil says it may have to go ahead without the app that was supposed to be the centrepiece of the entire thing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK's track and trace app, which was due to launch around now, appears to be being delayed. It's supposed to form a major part of the country's fight back against coronavirus, by alerting people who have come into contact with someone infected by Covid-19. But following trials on the Isle of Wight, the government now says it could be "several weeks" away from being rolled out nationwide. We speak to Isle of Wight resident Richard May who is one of those who have been using the app, and ask what experience he's had with it. 

Professor Erin Bromage's advice on how to survive the coronavirus pandemic at the start of lockdown was read by 13 million people in a week. As countries all over the world now begin easing restrictions, he gives the podcast his advice on how to minimise risk in the workplace and classrooms. Why do people need to avoid shouting in the office, and should schools really ban singing at end of year concerts?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Standing on the South Bank, the Globe theatre is one of London’s most iconic landmarks, as well as being an international cultural giant. Now it’s under very real threat. It says the coronavirus pandemic has left it “critically vulnerable” and urgently needs 5 million pounds just to keep running. Evening Standard Arts Editor Nancy Durrant joins the podcast to explain what is at risk.

Air Bridges

It may be very different, but the summer in the UK could have at least a familiar feel. The Environment Secretary has hinted that pubs could open in July – with social distancing in place - and the Transport secretary Grant Shapps has given his backing to so-called Air Bridges, which could allow travel between countries with low Covid-19 rates. That idea was first floated by conservative MP Huw Merriman, who is the chairman of the Commons Transport Select committee. He joins The Leader podcast to explain the idea - and why it means you could take a summer holiday without the need to quarantine.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Law was a 17th century banker who murdered a rival in London, escaped jail and ended up in Paris where he bankrupted France, arguably causing the revolution. How can his story influence decisions over the UK economy as the country attempts to recover from coronavirus? Economist Stephen King tells the podcast about the lessons still being learned from that fiasco, and explains how a "bad bank" that takes on British company debts in exchange for the government taking a stake in the firm, could be a good idea.  

Horse-drawn carriages in London's streets and skateboarding commuters are some of the ideas being floated for getting people back to work. There have been more trains running, but fewer people seem to be using them, as fears over the continuing spread of Covid-19 prove difficult to beat. Evening Standard features writer Sam Fishwick gives advice on alternative ways to get to the office, from walking and cycling to more creative suggestions. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Horrific figures revealing 12,000 deaths from coronavirus in care homes in England and Wales since the crisis began have re-ignited appeals for staff and patients to get better protection from the infection. The numbers are from the Office for National Statistics who are warning they're still "looking into" it and could announce an even higher figure soon. The Evening Standard's deputy political editor, Nicholas Cecil, says Number 10's promising action, but Labour says it's far too late. 

The covid-19 infection rate in London appears to be falling to just 24 new cases a day, but that's not releasing the pressure on mayor Sadiq Khan. A £1.6 billion bail-out deal with the government's rescued Transport for London, but come with several strings attached. There'll be a review of finances, a commitment to run a 100% service as soon as possible, and government public health warnings will replace the mayor's own ones in stations. Fares are to go up, and free travel be slashed back. Comment editor Susannah Butter interviewed Mr Khan while was waiting for the government's deal, and she tells us how difficult the mayor's future looks. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 A new antibody test for covid-19's been called a "game changer" by the Prime Minister, but is he overstating its impact? It can tell if someone's had the virus, but that doesn't necessarily mean you're immune. One of the UK's top scientists, Professor Danny Altmann from the British Society for Immunology, tells the podcast the public shouldn't raise its hopes too high. 

Circus tents and festival marquees are among suggestions being made by architects to help schools get going again. They're being recommended as headteachers work out how to hold classes while keeping children two metres apart. The Evening Standard's education editor Anna Davis says the ideas could help teachers who are alarmed about an education gap they fear is growing between children who

are being home-schooled and those who are not.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why are some people so badly affected by Covid-19 while others barely notice they're sick at all, and how can we use that to fight the virus? That's what teams of scientists are trying to find out as they attempt to map the genomes of 35,000 people who have been through the disease. Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, head scientist at Genomics England, tells us what they're doing and how you can get involved He also warns the UK could be just "a week to ten days" away from a second peak. 

London commuter ‘I don’t feel safe at all’ on return to work:

Buses were standing room only and some train carriages packed as people returned to work with lockdown restrictions being eased. What's it like to be one of those venturing out after weeks inside, and how safe do people really feel? We speak to Janine Lowy, an interior designer with asthma who is trying to avoid public transport, but can't get away from the traffic jams. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The country is being told to get ready to go back to work, but no-one seems to know how people are supposed to get there. Social distancing appears impossible on trains, cycling or walking is impractical for many, and although the Prime Minister is encouraging cars he has no suggestions on where to park. The Evening Standard's associate editor Julian Glover says commuting in the new world needs new rules, and someone has to take responsibility for writing them. 

International Nurses Day

On International Nurses Day The Leader podcast speaks to the director of the Florence Nightingale museum, David Green, to discover how the Lady of the Lamp's work is influencing the world's response to the coronavirus pandemic. He also tells us how the museum itself is struggling during lockdown - and is perilously close to shutting down.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is facing a backlash after changing its coronavirus messaging from "stay at home" to "stay alert”. But could ministers really have done any better? Marketing consultant Neil Taylor, who counts coming up with the name 'Ocado' in his credits, tells us how the country is entering a much more complicated phase of the coronavirus strategy that needs more nuanced public messaging. He also argues even Lord Kitchener's WW1 message "Your Country Needs You" would have been criticised on social media today for being too vague. 

French holidays:

Fancy a trip to France this summer? The governments of the UK and France have signed a deal to encourage travel between the two countries without the need to quarantine on the return trip. Shanghai’s Disneyland has just reopened - with social distancing measures - so could Disneyland Paris be next? The Leader podcast spoke to the Evening Standard’s Jonathan Prynn to find out if we should start dusting off our passports.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.