Live coronavirus updates, March 18, 2020: Bristol rallies to support the city’s independents amid pandemic

Our live blog will bring you rolling news coverage throughout the day, keeping you informed with breaking news from across Bristol.

Scroll down for the latest updates.

6.40pm
That’s the end of our live blog for today. We will be running another tomorrow morning from 6.30am. Thanks for reading and see you then.

6.36pm
Bristol’s inland surfing lake, The Wave, will close from Friday, March 20 until May 1.

Announcing the news, Craig Stoddart, CEO of The Wave, said: “The health and wellbeing of our staff and customers is of the utmost importance to us.

“The closure affects all areas of the site and if people have a surf booked during this period then they’ll be contacted by email with information on next steps. This is a rapidly evolving situation and we will be keeping everyone updated on developments via our website, newsletters and social media pages.

“These are uncertain and testing times for everyone, and we will overcome this challenge, together. We will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions based on the latest expert advice, and we plan to have people back enjoying our waves and reaping the wellbeing benefits of surfing as soon as we safely can.”

6.25pm
Here’s a roundup of key events from today:

• Schools across England will close “until further notice” from Friday afternoon, education secretary, Gavin Williamson, has told the House of Commons.
• Glastonbury Festival 2020 is cancelled in what would have been the festival’s 50th anniversary.
• Events, including Bristol Walk Fest and Bristol New Music Festival are postponed.
• The organisers of Love Save The Day and Eat Drink Bristol Fashion say it is “looking increasingly unlikely” they will go ahead as planned.
• Bristol’s city’s libraries and museums have all closed until May 1 2020 to help maintain critical services and public safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

6.21pm
The Plough in Easton, one of the growing number of Bristol venues to have shut its doors this week.

The Plough shares some community spirit through this “unprecedented time”. Photo by Ellie Pipe

5.21pm
Schools across England will close “until further notice” from Friday afternoon, education secretary, Gavin Williamson, has told the House of Commons.

4.43pm
Organisers of Eat Drink Bristol Fashion, a food and music festival due to take place in Castle Park on May 2 and 3, say that “it is looking increasingly unlikely” that the event will be able to take place.

A spokesperson said: “We are currently embarking on the process of talking to all restaurants, chefs, staff, exhibitors, Bristol council and responsible authorities and we hope that we will be able to move the event to later in the year so as soon as we have more information we will of course get that out to you all.”

Eat Drink Bristol Fashion previously took place on Queen Square – photo by Jon Craig

4.31pm
Kieran Waite, of Season & Taste , behind Bakers & Co, Bravas, Cargo Cantina, Gambas and Masa & Mezcal, shares his thoughts on how people can help businesses like his.

“The public can support by buying gift vouchers for their favourite business and supporting new initiatives that each business launches in their fight to survive, be it home delivery or anything else. They can also book tables for the future, which may seems futile but is heartening to see bookings coming in for a later date that there may be a business to come back to.

“We are collaborating with local independent hospitality business to create an alternative to Deliveroo – restaurant quality food for home that doesn’t charge the business 30 per cent to deliver and also charge the customer.

“This may be a means to support both our chefs and front of house in work who unlike Deliveroo employees are employed properly with fixed contacts.

“We are also looking at forming a Bristol Hospitality Business Union to have one strong collective voice with our colleagues and neighbours. Through this we not only aim to lobby the mayor, council and government for more support but also look at helping with community projects.”

Customers can still book tables at Gambas – photo by Martin Booth

4.02pm
Bocabar is set to stay open for the time being.

The business, which has sites in Paintworks and Finzels Reach, will be taking measures to keep people safe and promoting its takeaway menu.

https://twitter.com/BocaBarBristol/status/1240306464436236288

4pm
Bristol Rovers Community Trust has announced plans to help support the wider community.

The trust’s CEO Adam Tutton said: “We have recently been in contact with the council who have been fantastic in linking us with several organisations including Voscur and Feeding Bristol.

“We are more than happy to help out our community in any way we can during this difficult time, be that transporting foodstuffs to vulnerable people or supporting front line staff to get to and from work.

“Our club is nothing without the local community and we hope to be able to support those who need it most, based on our own staff capacity”.

3.44pm
The owners of the Gallimaufry have said it is with “great sadness” that they made the decision to close from 4pm today, until further notice.

3.43pm
The Matthew has now closed to the public until June 30 as the coronavirus situation worsens across the country.

3.41pm
The organisers of Bristol New Music Festival announce the event will no longer be taking place this year.

3.01pm
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has a message for people in the city and beyond.

He says “the important thing is to look after your loved ones and those who are vulnerable in your community”, adding the Bears are working hard to be ready to go when they get back.

2.47pm
Boston Tea Party is spreading the love and offering a 50 per cent team discount to NHS workers and a free reusable cup.

https://twitter.com/BTPcafes/status/1240288455248183298

2.46pm
Bristol City Council is providing a central website to coordinate volunteering efforts in response to the current pandemic.

https://twitter.com/BristolCouncil/status/1240288244329218049

2.24pm
Bristol Wood Recycling Project is suspending its volunteer activity due to the escalating coronavirus outbreak. The social enterprise will continue trading as long as possible and is taking measures to keep staff and customers safe.

2.16pm
North Bristol Advice Centre will no longer be seeing clients face-to-face but, like many advice organisations around the city, will still be offering support via email and phone.

2.04pm
Off The Record Bristol has put out an updated announcement about the postponement of group sessions, but it is still there to offer support on a one-to-one basis and has also set out some tips to help people cope.

https://twitter.com/otrbristol/status/1239992173602488321

1.44pm
Bristol Cathedral is remaining open and live-streaming its services on Facebook. It has also put together a useful reading list:

1.35pm
Everyman Cinema on Whiteladies Road is now closed.

1.34pm
The Pony & Trap is introducing a menu of favourites and essentials for customers to enjoy at home, with deliveries from Thursday.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B93_q9khCWN/

1.21pm
All schools in Wales will close by Friday at the latest, the Welsh government has announced.

Education minister Kirsty Williams said: “Today’s decision will help ensure an orderly closure, so schools have time to prepare ahead of the early break,” she said.

Schools in Bristol still remain open, but some are already sending whole year groups home due to a lack of teaching staff.

1.14pm
Little French restaurant in Westbury Park is thinking of starting a box scheme for local residents, featuring all of the ingredients needed to make dishes as well as an online tutorial how to cook the meal from chef Freddy Bird.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B93-6ZTBgS-/

1.08pm
The Wapping Wharf Easter trail, originally planned to take place from April 4 to 19, has been cancelled.

A joint message from Wapping Wharf and the organisers of the trail, Bertha’s Pizza and Something Elsie, said: “In light of the latest Government advice to increase social distancing, sadly we have had to take the decision to cancel the Wapping Wharf Easter Trail. We hope that we can plan a similar community event at Wapping Wharf once we have all navigated our way through these challenging times.”

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1.04pm
Riverside Garden Centre has become the latest Bristol business to close its doors.

12.51pm:
We The Curious has announced it is temporarily closed to visitors.

Chief executive of the science museum Donna Speed said: “We have a responsibility to our staff, volunteers, visitors and wider community to look after their health and safety. And as a charity, we need to make sure that we can continue our mission when this public health crisis all passes; curiosity is a great tool to help address educational inequality, so we need to ensure that we’re still here and in the best position for our audiences when the time is right.

“This is an unprecedented time for us all, so we’d just like to say a big thank you to everyone for their support.”

12.24pm:
The organisers of Love Saves The Day have issued a statement saying it is looking “increasingly unlikely” the annual festival in Eastville Park will go ahead in May.

Currently, the event is not cancelled as Team Love “explore every available option” to ensure it can take place this summer.

12.14pm:
Cotham School joins a growing number of schools across Bristol in announcing a partial closure.

Several of the Cabot Learning Federation academies are either fully or partially closed, Colston’s Girls School is partially closed from Wednesday, March 18, and Fairfield High School has also announced a partial closure.

Check with individual schools for the latest updates.

12.05pm:
Some Bristol GPs have suspended face-to-face appointments with immediate effect.

Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus must stay away from surgeries and contact the NHS on 111.

Now, some GPs, including The Family Practice Western College, have texted patients to say they are offering telephone-only appointments amid the worsening outbreak.

11.44am:
Almost all cinemas across Bristol are closing their doors for now. Showcase Cinemas temporarily closed all branches from Wednesday, March 18, as have Watershed, Vue and Everyman.

The Curzon in Clevedon remains open at present. It is taking measures to keep people safe, which include reducing the number of available tickets from 320 to 100.

11.31am:
Supermarkets may have all been raided by panic buyers, but Bristol’s independent producers and retailers are keeping supplies stocked as much as they can.

Bristol Producers has compiled a spreadsheet to let people know where they can buy local and fresh produce.

https://twitter.com/BristolProduce/status/1240225522413699072

11am:
Glastonbury Festival has been cancelled for 2020.

June was due to mark the 50-year anniversary for the major five-day event on Worthy Farm, but organisers Michael and Emily Eavis say there is to be “an enforced fallow year” in these times of “unprecedented uncertainty”.

In an announcement on Wednesday, March 18, they issued sincere apologies to the 135,000 people who have already paid a deposit for this year’s festival. They are offering the chance for these people to roll it over to secure a ticket for the 2021 festival.

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10.46am:
Bristol Zoo remains open for now.

Bosses say they are closely monitoring the situation and regularly reviewing guidance from Public Health England.

For anyone who has prepaid for entry but decides to postpone their visit, the tickets will remain valid for one year, on any equivalent priced day.

10.22am: 
Just a reminder of the latest NHS advice on coronavirus and what to do if you have any symptoms:

9.59am:
With libraries due to close, Bristol’s independent bookshops are doing all they can to keep people in reading material.

9.55am: 
The National Trust is aiming to keep many of its parks and gardens open for free during the coronavirus, while its properties, cafes and shops will be closed to protect public safety.

The charity said: “We will try to keep as many open spaces available as possible but this is a changing situation and we are strictly following Government advice so please keep checking our website for updated information and always check the site before you visit any of our places.”

The advice is to check the website of the site before visiting.

9.40am:
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Bristol rose by one to eight confirmed by Public Health England, as of Wednesday, March 1.

9.20am:
The eighth annual Bristol Walk Fest has been postponed.

The event was due to take place throughout May, but organisers say they are adhering to Government guidance, adding that the safety of participants and walk leaders is paramount.

They hope to review the situation and deliver a full programme of events in the Autumn.

Walk Fest was due to take place throughout May, but has been postponed until at least the autumn. Photo courtesy of Bristol Walk Fest

9.13am:
Community support groups on Facebook have set up a ‘job noticeboard’ for the many people who have been left out of work due to the outbreak.

Teachers and tutors are advertising services for anyone having to home school their children.

9.09am
Bristol City Council’s private renting team is taking measures to prevent people from becoming homeless as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

They are asking any landlords or agents considering serving notice to tenants to contact the council first so measures can be put in place.

8.38am
Waste and recycling services will continue as normal for now.

Bristol Waste is asking all residents to follow the advice of Public Health England and DEFRA in relation to coronavirus. Items such as tissues or disposable cleaning cloths that might have come into contact with COVID-19 should be double-bagged, tied securely and kept separate from other waste for 72 hours before being placed in the black bin.

8.30am
The city’s libraries and museums will join most other major cultural institutions in shutting their doors after today.

Bristol City Council announced all will close temporarily this week until May 1 2020 to help maintain critical services and public safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mayor Marvin Rees said: “We must act in the interests of public safety first and foremost, which is why we are introducing these temporary closures in response to the latest Government guidance. We recognise the importance and value of these public services to communities, but they are also social spaces with a high level of interaction.”

He reminded people online library services are available.

6.30am
Good morning and welcome to Wednesday’s live blog as we report on all of the latest news about the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in Bristol.

On Monday, prime minister Boris Johnson urged everyone to avoid unnecessary social contact, to work from home where possible, and to stay away from pubs and restaurants. This has already caused huge implications for the hospitality and culture sectors, with many local businesses closing and postponing events.

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In other developments:

• Bristol West MP Thangham Debbonaire appeared on BBC Politics Live, praising the continuous opening of schools.
• The chancellor has announced £330bn of guaranteed loans for UK businesses hit by the coronavirus.
• Many cultural venues have closed their doors, including Bristol Old Vic, Watershed and Tobacco Factory Theatres.
• More major events continue to be cancelled or postponed, such as Mayfest and Bristol Film Festival.
• The number of confirmed cases in Bristol rises to seven.
• First Bus will run a Saturday service going forward.

Main photo by Martin Booth.

Read more: Coronavirus: Bristol art venues respond – and how you can help