Coronavirus live updates: May 14 2020

Major changes to walking and cycling infrastructure could be implemented within weeks as part of plans set to help build a “more inclusive, sustainable” future.

Bristol’s share of a promised funding pot from central government – anticipated to be around £4m for the region – will be used to accelerate a raft of measures expected to radically alter how we travel around the city, including the introduction of new cycle lanes and widening of pavements in busy shopping areas.

The changes, exclusively revealed by Bristol24/7, are a direct response to the coronavirus pandemic and the continued need for social-distancing.

Scroll down for updates:

5.30pm
That’s the end of today’s live blog. See you tomorrow morning.

5.15pm
Here’s a round up of some of today’s news:

• The one-day mini festival, Bristol Takeover, has gone online for 2020. Read the full story here.
• Health and care leaders in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have issued an open letter to thank people for observing the coronavirus advice so far and urges everyone to continue to follow government guidelines.
• Bristol Mindfulness is going online for 2020.
• UWE Bristol have signed up to an initiative helping the UK and its most vulnerable citizens pull through the coronavirus crisis.
• Brain Tumour Support has launched an urgent appeal so it can make it through the pandemic.

3.53pm
Health and care leaders in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire have today issued an open letter to everyone across the area. The letter – signed by NHS, council and community organisations – thanks local people for observing the coronavirus advice so far, and urges everyone to continue to follow government guidelines to protect themselves and health and care staff.

Julia Ross, joint healthier together lead executive and chief executive of Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We want to thank everyone across our area for following the guidance and using local services responsibly.

“It’s clear that coronavirus will be with us for some time yet, and we must keep going – by observing social distancing measures, self-isolating while experiencing symptoms of the virus and practising good hand hygiene. These continue to be the best ways to reduce the spread of the virus, which is critical for population health, as well as ensuring that local services can cope.”

“The response to Covid-19 in Bristol has been a huge community and partnership effort and I want to thank all those in the city who have been doing what they can to keep us safe during this crisis,” says deputy mayor Asher Craig.

“I encourage people to seek the right help when they need it, however, we must continue to follow the guidance for Covid-19 to ensure our families and our communities are safe.”

2.44pm
14-year-old Lainey Denyer has drawn a picture of an NHS worker ahead of tonight’s #ClapForCarers.

“She wanted to say thank you, for all the amazing brave work our NHS heroes our undertaking in these awful times,” says her mum Lisa Denyer, an NHS respiratory administrator. “It took hours to complete and it was full of emotion.”

Image: Lainey Denyer 

2.21pm
UWE Bristol have signed up to an initiative helping the UK and its most vulnerable citizens pull through the coronavirus crisis.

The university is one of more than 300 organisations to have signed the C-19 Business Pledge which was launched by former cabinet minister Justine Greening.

The national scheme encourages businesses to join the coronavirus effort by pledging to help their employees, customers and communities across the UK get through the crisis and has already received the backing of employers representing more than 1.5m staff and students.

1.01pm
Bristol Mindfulness is going online for 2020.

Moments of Mass Mindfulness, which was held in Castle Park in 2018 and College Green in 2019, will take place this Saturday at midday, and will be held virtually.

It will be available to attend via Zoom and will be free. Find out more at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/moments-of-mass-mindfulness-2020

https://twitter.com/MindfulBristol/status/1260889902062940160

12.08pm
The team at Bristol24/7 is working hard to bring you all the latest coronavirus stories from around the city. Read some of the latest stories:

• Bringing queer events to LGBTQ+ people in lockdown
• Clifton College is making PPE for frontline workers
• Call for citywide action to tackle digital exclusion
• Bristol business leaders respond to extension of furlough scheme

11.10am
According to Public Health England, the current number of confirmed cases in Bristol is 679. The rates of coronavirus per 100,000 people is 146.5. This means for every 100,000 people in Bristol, 146.5 are predicted to have the virus.

10.36am
The one-day mini festival, Bristol Takeover, has gone online for 2020. Read the full story here.

Plaster PR

9.19am
Brain Tumour Support, a charity has based in Thornbury, has today launched an urgent appeal so it can make it through the pandemic.

The charity supports thousands of brain tumour patients and their families across the country, and has seen an increase in demand for its services during lockdown; many brain tumour patients suffer from isolation and need extra help.

“It breaks my heart to know that there are patients and families out there that need our help but we do not have resources to support them,” said Tina Mitchell Skinner who founded the charity 17 years ago after losing her husband to a brain tumour.

“Supporting us with a donation now, more than ever, will enable us to navigate through this devastating period so that we can survive, and continue to provide our crucial services now, and in the future.”

Donate to the appeal at www.braintumoursupport.co.uk/appeal

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

Here are some of the latest developments:

• Major changes to walking and cycling infrastructure could be implemented within weeks as part of plans set to help build a “more inclusive, sustainable” future.
• The organisers of NASS say they are heartbroken to announce the annual festival won’t be taking place this year.
• A live stream of queues at recycling centres is one of the measures that could be implemented by Bristol City Council to manage an expected influx of visitors when facilities reopen on May 18.
• The organisers of Dot To Dot have confirmed the festival has been postponed just ten days before it was due to take place.

Main photo by Ellie Pipe

Read more: Bristol’s most ambitious improvements to walking and cycling in a generation