Coronavirus live updates, April 17 2020: Planning an ‘exit strategy’ for the city

Lockdown will continue in the UK for at least another three weeks, the Government has confirmed.

In Bristol, Marvin Rees has also outlined some of the immense challenges over deciding the best ‘exit strategy’ for the city in the wake of the coronavirus peak.

Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, the mayor he would not want a national directive to be based on the position of the capital if the implications might prove detrimental to Bristol. He joined new Labour leader Keir Starmer in calling for more clarity from the Government on future planning.

Scroll down for all the latest updates:

6pm
That’s the end of our live blog today. Thank you for joining us.

5.44pm
Here’s a roundup of today’s news:

• A temporary mortuary at Sandy Park that can accommodate up to 240 bodies is ready.
• Bristol City Council is inviting anyone who has worked in children’s or adult social care to consider re-joining social work during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Lockdown has been extended for at least three weeks.
• Some 11,000 breaches of the coronavirus lockdown have been reported to Avon and Somerset Police.
• Brigstowe has launched an emergency appeal after seeing the number of calls it receives double in the last month.

5.06pm
The hope is it will never be used, but city and faith leaders are ensuring a temporary mortuary in Brislington is a fitting and respectful place of rest.

The facility can accommodate up to 240 bodies and has been built in response to the coronavirus pandemic on a site off Sandy Park usually used as the council’s vehicle fleet servicing depot. Read the full story here.

4.28pm
Bristol City Council is inviting anyone who has worked in children’s or adult social care to consider re-joining social work during the coronavirus pandemic to support the most vulnerable citizens.

In response to the current exceptional circumstances, Social Work England has been given emergency powers by the government to invite previously registered social workers in England to return to practice.

Anyone who has left the Social Worker register since 18 March 2018 will have their registration temporarily renewed automatically so they can return to social care work as quickly as possible during the current pandemic.

Helen Holland, the council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “We are calling on previously registered social workers to return to the profession to alleviate the pressure put on the system by the coronavirus crisis.

“We are incredibly grateful to those already active in the care system, and would welcome anyone who is able and willing to return to practice to ensure that the most vulnerable in Bristol are supported and receive the care they need in these unprecedented circumstances.”

3.37pm
Brigstowe has launched an emergency appeal after seeing the number of calls it receives double in the last month.

The charity, that has been supporting people in Bristol living with HIV for 24 years, is aiming to raise £3,000 to support residents during the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full story here.

2.45pm
Gromit Unleashed have released free activity packs for kids. New packs are being released regularly.

1.34pm
The number of cases in Bristol now stands at 374, according to Public Health England.

12.40pm
Social enterprise 91 Ways is working with the Architecture Centre and communities of St Paul’s a new project, inviting people to share and exchange their favourite soul food recipes. Read the full story here.

https://twitter.com/91Ways/status/1251105336238489601

12.15pm
Bristol Rovers players have joined efforts to deliver essential supplies to those in need across the city.

They visited some of the club’s most vulnerable season ticket holders with bags of food, as well as a can of Thatchers Cider for each.

Bristol Rovers Community Trust chief executive Adam Tutton said, “We are pleased to be able to offer our help to those who need it in today’s turbulent climate.

“As soon as it was announced that those over 70 were advised to self-isolate for a three-month period, it came to our attention that we could well have members of our fan base that could be struggling, without the support of family and friends.”

11.08am
Assaults on emergency services staff tackling the coronavirus pandemic won’t be tolerated is the warning from South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT).

The trust says more than 100 of its workers, including frontline paramedics and 999 call handlers, experience violence and aggression while on duty every month.

Now emergency services organisations are uniting together to highlight the unacceptable problem faced by staff across the region during the COVID-19 crisis.

They warn that action will be taken to prosecute offenders and protect staff.

Ken Wenman, SWASFT chief executive said: “Our ambulance crews and control room staff are working tirelessly on the frontline to keep people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am so proud of and thankful for them all.

“Any verbal, mental or physical assault against an emergency services staff member or key worker is completely unacceptable.

“Sadly, we received 1330 incidents of violence and aggression towards our staff in the last year, which is an increase of 16 per cent on the previous year.

“Unfortunately, these incidents have continued during the COVID-19 crisis when our staff are working in an extremely challenging environment to protect and save lives.

“We support whatever action is necessary to protect our staff from harm and ensure those responsible for any attacks are prosecuted.”

The ambulance service is encouraging people to support the #Unacceptable campaign by sharing supportive messages on social media.

10.21am
First Bus drivers will all be taking part in a national minute’s silence at 11am today to pay tribute to transport workers who have lost their lives to coronavirus.

A second Bristol driver, Hussen Mudei, who worked at the Lawrence Hill depot is confirmed to have died after contracting the virus.

Martin Egan died on March 28 after falling ill with COVID-19.

The company has said: “Our drivers will observe a national minute’s silence to pay tribute to all transport workers who’ve lost their lives. Where safe, buses will pull over as we think of them. Our thoughts go to their families and friends.”

https://twitter.com/FirstBSA/status/1251073126483537923

9.55am
Some 11,000 breaches of the coronavirus lockdown have been reported to Avon and Somerset Police.

Chief constable Andy Marsh said officers have attended 44 per cent of all reports, but only 143 enforcement notices have been issued since the measures came in.

Marsh says “the public are policing themselves, by and large”.

The rates for other incidents have plummeted – with everyone at home there have been 40 per cent fewer burglaries since the lockdown began. Read the full story here.

https://www.facebook.com/AandSPCC/videos/915445158876186/

9.12am
People across the city turned out in force once more on Thursday evening to show their appreciation for the city’s key workers.

In what has now become a weekly tradition during lockdown, residents went to their windows, front doors, balconies and gardens to cheer on the NHS and others working on the frontline.

At Southmead Hospital, emergency response teams and staff lined up outside to clap.

https://twitter.com/bristol247/status/1250862426637111297

8.45am
Good morning and welcome to Friday’s live blog.

Here is a round-up of the latest news:

• Bristol Energy has donated £12,500 from its Fuel Good Fund to a Bristol charity project, supporting people who are struggling to top up their energy pre-payment meter because of Covid-19.
• Bristol Old Vic has launched Bristol Old Vic At Home in response to the pandemic.
• The number of people applying for Bristol’s council tax reduction scheme has increased fivefold.
• The collection of garden and bulky waste will resume across Bristol from Monday, April 20.

Main photo: Lowie Trevena

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