Coronavirus live updates: May 1 2020

Lockdown continues into May.

The lockdown extension decided on April 16 will take the UK to May 7, when a second review will be made to decide whether restrictions remain in place, or if they can be lifted.

In Bristol, mayor Marvin Rees has written to the chancellor asking the government to underwrite the true cost of the pandemic, calling the support received so far “wholly inadequate”.

Scroll down for the latest updates:

5.36pm
That’s it for today’s live blog. Thanks for joining us.

5.26pm
Here’s a rundown of some of today’s news:

• Health secretary Matt Hancock has announced the UK carried out more than 120,000 coronavirus tests on the last day of April, passing the government’s target.
• The West of England Combined Authority says it has widened a scheme providing career support for people whose jobs and income have been affected by coronavirus.
• People across Bristol and beyond have been expressing solidarity with workers on May Day.
• Aardman animations have shown their appreciation for the NHS by creating a stunning original artwork, featuring Wallace & Gromit.

5.18pm
For the many children in Bristol living in flats with no garden and intermittent internet, lockdown is a particularly challenging time.

Recognising the struggles families are facing while schools are closed, a grassroots fundraising campaign was launched to pay for special art packs to be distributed across a Hartcliffe neighbourhood, to help foster creativity and give children something positive to do during lockdown. Read the full story here.

5.13pm
Health secretary Matt Hancock has announced the UK carried out more than 120,000 coronavirus tests on the last day of April, passing the government’s target.

4.43pm
People across Bristol have been sending in clips of how they’ve been keeping occupied during lockdown.

The snippets have been used to create a video released by the council:

https://twitter.com/BristolCouncil/status/1256241483889459200

3.56pm
“No Government handouts for destructive big businesses” is the message from Extinction Rebellion, as the environmental activist group begins its new campaign.

Kicking off the nationwide #NoGoingBack poster campaign in Bristol, the group calls for the Government to prioritise investing in people and sustainable future, instead of “highly polluting, unsustainable” businesses. Read the full story here.

2.36pm
Easton-based Super Supper Club, is an established food-based community service. When the lockdown came and volunteers could no longer run their weekly supper club for the area, they switched to being a delivery and takeaway service, offering all food for free.

“Our meals are for anyone in the local community who feels they want one,” says Helen Ashley, one of the volunteers. “However, we will prioritise those who are vulnerable including those who need to isolate at home or may not have a permanent home.

“Super Supper Club is a real part of our community. We’ve been operating in Easton for over two years, transforming supermarket food, which would otherwise be thrown away, into delicious three course meals for a donation of £3 to cover the costs of renting premises and food we can’t get donated.”

A volunteer preparing food for delivery. Photo: Helen Ashley

As a result of the pandemic and the change in their services to become a free delivery service, the organisation has set up a Gofundme.

“We wanted to find away of still supporting those who use our service and reaching out to others in BS5  who may need home cooked meals during the Covid-19 pandemic,” Helen says.

“We only started last week and have already created  and delivered 200 meals for our local community.  With your help we will be able to continue helping hundreds of households in BS5 and surrounding areas.”

Donate to the fundraiser at www.www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-appeal-Bristol-BS5-food-meal-service

2.19pm
The number of confirmed cases in Bristol is now 601, according to Public Health England.

1.34pm
The West of England Combined Authority says it has widened a scheme providing career support for people whose jobs and income have been affected by coronavirus.

A new taskforce is being set up to drive the region’s economic recovery, led by metro mayor Tim Bowles with a remit that includes putting together a recovery plan and lobbying the Government for the resources needed.

A number of business leaders and organisations have warned current support packages from the government risk exacerbating existing inequalities. 

12.30pm
People across Bristol and beyond have been expressing solidarity with workers on May Day.

https://twitter.com/helengt76/status/1256184014441984011

11.30am
Bristol South MP Karin Smyth has spoken this week about the challenges in tackling domestic abuse and the number of cases that go unreported.

Avon and Somerset Police has joined a national campaign, which aims to spread the message that there continues to be support available for victims and survivors of domestic abuse despite the current restrictions in place due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

It comes as family barristers have warned about the increased risk to children while lockdown measures are in place.

10.38am
Donations have poured in to support Bristol Refugee Rights fundraising campaign – but more is still needed.

Many asylum seekers and refugees face homelessness, destitution, isolation, exclusion and housing issues andthe coronavirus pandemic has only aggravated these issues further.

In addition, most do not have telephones or data to contact Bristol Refugee Rights or any other services to access their basic rights or contact their support networks during Covid-19 lockdown.

The fundraising campaign aims to raise money to provide this vital tech equipment and support for those who need it most.

10.17am
Aardman animations have shown their appreciation for the NHS by creating a stunning original artwork, featuring Wallace & Gromit.

9.27am
Last night saw people across Bristol turn out once more to clap for the key workers keeping things running throughout the pandemic.

https://twitter.com/NightingaleBRS/status/1255936395778105344

https://twitter.com/AFRSYate/status/1255964212012122117

8.45am
Good morning and welcome to today’s live blog. Here are some of the latest developments:

• Bristol mayor Marvin Rees has called on Rishi Sunak, the chancellor of the exchequer, to underwrite the true costs of the pandemic. He says the Government is failing to keep pace with lost revenues for local authorities as Bristol faces an £82m blackhole.
• Council-run cemeteries have re-opened with limited hours.
• The Government failed to hit its target to test 100,000 per day by the end of April. Just 33,000 people were tested for Covid-19 in the latest 24-hour period – a record high for a single day – according to official figures.

Main photo: Lowie Trevena

Read more: Bristol mayor calls on chancellor to underwrite true cost of pandemic