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Coronavirus live updates, April 3 2020: Bristol residents continue to stay home to save lives

By Bristol24/7  Thursday Apr 2, 2020

Bristol residents continue to heed Government lockdown measures, which have been in place for a full ten days.

Scroll down for the latest updates:

6pm
That’s the end of today’s live blog. See you tomorrow morning.

5.45pm
A round up of today’s news:

  • Bristol residents left struggling to pay council tax during the coronavirus pandemic have been assured support is available.
  • The Queen will speak in a televised address to the nation on Sunday.
  • First has welcomed the Department for Transport’s announcement of financial support for bus operators providing crucial services.
  • Work has begun on a new temporary hospital at UWE Bristol to provide up to 1,000 beds if needed during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

5.10pm
A newly-formed collaboration, Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group (BMSLG) has released a multilingual video of coronavirus advice specifically for Muslim communities.

The group is already closely working with the regional NHS, Bristol City Council and Avon and Somerset Police on a range of initiatives, with the aim of helping to support the city’s diverse communities.

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4.44pm
Ashti Miran, seven, has been keeping an account of her time in lockdown. She sent Bristol24/7 a photo of her beautifully-written piece, along with one of her favourite rainbow pictures.

Please send any messages of thanks or rainbow pictures to [email protected].

Ashti Miran, seven, with her account of her time in lockdown. Photo courtesy of Tara Miran

A happy rainbow picture. Photo courtesy of Tara Miran

4.33pm
The Queen is due to speak in a televised address to the nation on Sunday.

With the exception of her annual Christmas speech, it is only the fourth time the monarch has done this during her reign.

3.45pm
The MP for Bristol West has written to the secretary of state for health outlining concerns surrounding the current coronavirus pandemic.

Thangam Debbonaire asked what is being done to escalate the provision of testing for NHS staff and supply of personal protective equipment, as well as progress on recruitment of more staff to run the overstretched 111 service.

Debbonaire also highlighted concerns about a lack of knowledge over how coronavirus is transmitted, among other issues, in her letter to Matt Hancock.

3.20pm
Residents left struggling to pay council tax during the coronavirus pandemic have been assured support is available.

Bristol City Council offers a reduction for people unable to afford the full amount and people whose situations have recently changed can also apply to this scheme.

The council has also said people will not be penalised for missed payments over the next few months.

Mayor Marvin Rees said: “The council is responding to the worst public health crisis in recent times, and council tax pays for critical frontline services, many of which are seeing unprecedented demand during the pandemic. We really need people who can still afford to pay council tax to keep paying.

“The pandemic has also affected people’s lives financially, and people are genuinely worried about how they will pay their bills. Please be reassured that the council will do all we can within our powers to support those people who are struggling.”

Responding for calls to ‘cancel council tax’ or create a ‘council tax holiday’, Rees added: “All council tax has to be paid one way or another. No council in the country can cancel council tax.

“What we can do, and what we are doing, is making sure people who genuinely can’t afford to pay council tax don’t.”

Anyone who believes they are eligible for a reduction in their council tax is advised to contact the council via www.bristol.gov.uk/council-tax/general-enquiry-form 

2.32pm
Bristol City Centre BID will be holding free webinars, providing guidance for businesses in the City Centre BID area during the coronavirus pandemic. Find out more and sign up at ow.ly/9Xf350z4iLQ

2pm
People of all generations across Bristol are making the most of their time on lockdown to show appreciation for key workers:

1.57pm
The Exchange in Old Market is raising money for the city’s grassroots music scene.

Paul Horlick, who also runs Bristol music labels Spurge Recordings and Environmental Studies is starting an online store to encourage the public to donate to local musicians. Read the full story here

1.30pm
A new Bristol support hub to help older people and their families cope with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak has been launched thanks to a collaboration of charities.

It will provide a range of different services including practical, social and emotional support, as well as virtual activities that older people can do from the safety of their own home.

Kay Libby, co-Chief executive of Age UK Bristol said: “It’s been brilliant to be part of a collaborative group of charities in Bristol all pulling together at a time when older people need us most; this will help us all to support the most vulnerable older people.

“Due to social distancing measures, there is a risk that some older people will feel lonely and socially isolated during this period.”

More information about the support hub is available on the Age UK Bristol website. To get in touch with the hub, please ring the helpline on 0117 929 7537 or email [email protected].

12.52pm
Morph is on hand to help provide inspiration for fun activities to do while on lockdown.

12.20pm
Aid Box Community has announced it will be launching an emergency response and distribution service for Bristol’s vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers.

The charity is running a fundraiser to raise money for this vital work. To support visit: www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/aid-box-community-corona-virus-appeal

12pm
People coming to their windows and doorsteps to applaud NHS and key workers on Thursday night were treated to a mysterious light show. Read the full story behind the dazzling display here.

11.20am
Bristol’s bus operator has welcomed the Department for Transport’s announcement of financial support for companies providing crucial services.

The new funding could total £167m across the industry over the next three months and includes a package of measures for supporting vital bus services and networks at the current time.

The announcement comes following news that First’s passenger numbers across the region are now less than 10 per cent of what they were three weeks ago.

Welcoming the announcement, James Freeman, managing director of First West of England, said: “Our role as a bus operator has perhaps never been more important than now because although Government advice is to stay at home, we are still providing a vital service enabling key workers to move about, as the nation comes together to tackle the coronavirus crisis.”

Customers are advised to refer in the first instance to the First West of England website: www.firstgroup.com/coronaviruswoe for the most up-to-date service information, travel advice and information about coronavirus.

First has welcomed the funding from the Department of Transport. Photo by Ellie Pipe

10.40am
Businesses and freelancers working in the media sector are being asked to complete a short survey.

Bristol City Council wants to better understand how the coronavirus outbreak is affecting the industry and how it can offer support.

10am
Police officers are stepping up to help enable more paramedics to get out to treat patients in an emergency.

Avon and Somerset Police is teaming up with South Western Ambulance Service to host essential theory and hazard perception tests for new paramedic staff.

Once the paramedics have passed these exams, they can sit a driving test to allow them to take to the roads and attend incidents.

Rhys Hughes, team leader for the driver training unit, said: “This is a critical time for the whole NHS dealing with coronavirus as they work heroically around-the-clock saving lives and naturally we are keen to provide whatever assistance we can to them.”

9.42am
Work has begun on a new temporary hospital at UWE Bristol to provide up to 1,000 beds if needed during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The NHS has confirmed the university’s exhibition and conference centre at Frenchay is currently being converted and is expected to be fully operational this month. Read the full story here.

7.50am
People across Bristol turned out to clap for our key workers for the second week in a row.

At 8pm yesterday evening, residents applauded from windows, balconies and front gardens to show appreciation for those doing vital work while the country is on lockdown.

There was even a mysterious bright light to mark the occasion.

 

6.30am
Good morning and welcome to today’s live blog as the UK continues to live under lockdown.

In the latest developments:

  • First West of England is introducing new timetables from Sunday, April 5. The changes are in response to further reductions in bus use.
  • Bristol Waste teams are operating as normal, but will not be able to return for missed pickups due to a stretched workforce.
  • More than 3,000 people across the city have signed up to volunteer through the council’s official volunteering portal, candobristol.
  • £13.4bn of historic NHS debt has been written off and £300m has been made available for community pharmacies.
  • St Paul’s Carnival is trying to find a way to take the festival online and bring “the spirit of Carnival to Bristol in these challenging times”.

Main image by Lowie Trevena

Read more: Comedian Eddie Large dies aged 78

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