Coronavirus diary, Tuesday 5 May

Mind the Gap

'Mind the gap', the traditional warning to rail passengers, has a new meaning these days. Not to avoid falling on the track but to keep a safe distance from other passengers. It is part of the government's 'draft guidance' to encourage workers back to factories and offices to save Britain's crippled economy. But many are reluctant to do so, fearing that keeping a safe distance at work is impossible.

Back to the trains. The idea is to use perhaps only one third or even less seats, meaning trains running at 15 percent capacity. Other suggestions include staggering shifts, hours and days, all very difficult and hugely expensive. The government, rather harshly, I think, is telling employers it is their responsibility to make working safe.They have been ordered to make a detailed risk assessment and tell employees about their new working conditions  The government has even threatened them with fines and criminal proceedings if they fail to do so. The companies protest, maintaining they have been given too little notice of the easing of restrictions and now too much advice not instructions. 

Brompton Bikes are providing bikes for NHS workers

Another memorable government order, forty years ago, was Employment Secretary Norman Tebbit - now Baron Tebbit -telling unemployed workers to 'get on your bike' and look for a job. The order is back again, to lock-downed workers - probably one of the most practical suggestions - already being encouraged by free bike hiring in some parts of the country. Will cycling become an everyday way of getting around in Britain as in Dutch cities like Amsterdam? 

Amsterdam: cycling for all