News / coronavirus
Coronavirus live updates: April 22 2020
The lack of PPE for frontline workers continues to dominate headlines, with some grassroots organisations in Bristol taking a stand and making their own protection for staff.
The response to the coronavirus pandemic has seen thousands of people from across the city volunteer to help support those who are struggling.
Scroll down for the latest updates:
5.30pm
Thank you for joining us for today’s live blog. See you tomorrow at 9am.
5.15pm
Here’s a summary of today’s news:
- People in some areas of Bristol could be eligible to volunteer to take part in a coronavirus vaccine trial.
- A new taskforce is being set up to drive the region’s economic recovery.
- The first semi-virtual Prime Minister’s Questions has taken place in Westminster (and beyond).
- Bristol Refugee Rights has launched a fundraising campaign to help with providing vital support.
- Six-year-old Frank Mills, who has spina bifida, has raised more than £150,000 for the NHS.
5.08pm
Mayor Marvin Rees will host his weekly Facebook Live Q&A at 6.30pm this evening.
5.02pm
Bristol24/7’s small team of journalists is working to help people stay connected with news, updates and stories from communities across the city.
Here’s a round-up of some of today’s stories:
- “Inspiring resilience” from communities in east Bristol as they rally to support each other.
- New face mask for a Banksy mural.
- We The Curious is leading a national campaign to change the government’s rules around furlough.
- The Bristol Bears Women player working as a doctor on the frontline.
4.30pm
People in some areas of Bristol could be eligible to volunteer to take part in a coronavirus vaccine trial.
Scientists at The University of Oxford are seeking healthy individuals to assess if they can be protected from COVID-19 with a new vaccine called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19.
Bristol is currently one of only three cities where volunteers are being recruited. Only those who live in BS1-6 or BS8 postcodes will be eligible at this stage.
Participants will receive compensation for their time, travel and contribution. Those who take part until the end of the six-month period will get a total payment of £235.
Find out more here.
3.57pm
Ramadan will be a different experience for Muslims around the world this year due to the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
The Muslim Council of Britain has published guidance on how to make the most of Ramadan at home.
Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group is working to help bring people together during this important month at a time when people cannot meet up in person.
3.03pm
We The Curious is leading a national campaign to change the government’s rules around furlough. Read the full story here.
We The Curious CEO Donna Speed has written an open letter to the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, urging the government to slightly alter its furlough scheme. Photo by Martin Booth
2.44pm
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Bristol now stands at 477, according to Public Health England. In reality, the true figure is unknown as testing is not available for most people.
1.46pm
A new taskforce is being set up to drive the region’s economic recovery.
Led by metro mayor Tim Bowles, the board is a partnership between the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), business, universities and councils.
Bowles said: “Coronavirus is having a profound impact on all parts of our economy. The Government has taken unprecedented steps to provide a lifeline to many of our businesses and residents, but now we need to build on this with a specific West of England recovery plan.
“This new taskforce will mean our region can work together to put in place the measures we need to support our residents and businesses for the medium and long-term. That way, rather than just getting back on our feet, we’ll be able to emerge stronger than before.”
Tim Bowles is leading the new regional task force. Photo courtesy of WECA
Chair of the West of England LEP professor Steve West, added: “We remain focused on our longer-term ambitions for clean growth that benefits every resident, but we have to consider carefully what else we have to do to rebuild our region, which is why the new taskforce will look at some specific sectors too.”
The task force will initially put together a recovery plan, look at the impact of economic measures on businesses and communities, identifying where additional support is needed, lobby the Government and ensure transport infrastructures are in place.
1.16pm
A fabulous rendition of the Wallace and Gromit theme tune by City of Bristol Brass Band:
https://twitter.com/thegrandappeal/status/1252920108307165184
12.55pm
Banksy’s Girl With a Pierced Eardrum is taking precautions against the coronavirus pandemic. Read the full story here.
12.09pm
The first semi-virtual Prime Minister’s Questions is underway in Westminster (and beyond).
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is standing in for Boris Johnson, who is still recovering from coronavirus. He is facing questions from new Labour leader Keir Starmer.
It comes after MPs approved a motion to move to a “hybrid” format for parliament while a nationwide lockdown to tackle the coronavirus outbreak continues.
11.55am
Many asylum seekers and refugees face homelessness, destitution, isolation, exclusion and housing issues.
Bristol Refugee Rights says the coronavirus outbreak has only exacerbated these challenges and many people in need don’t have phones or data to access vital support network during lockdown.
The charity is working to support asylum seekers, refugees and their children but it needs help to continue providing crucial services during the pandemic, as well as digital tools, data and phone credit to some of the most at-risk members of the community.
A crowdfunded has been launched. To find out more and add support, visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/brr-tech.
11.10am
Concerns about the impact of coronavirus on young people have been highlighted in a report by UK Youth.
Young Bristol is one of the charities working to provide critical out-of-school services for children and young people across the city.
To combat issues such as increased loneliness, isolation and negative impacts on mental health and wellbeing, the charity has adapted and diversified its work to ensure young people can continue to access positive activities, advice and support.
Lee Williams, the chief executive of Young Bristol, said: “These have been challenging times for youth services, rethinking how we can support and address the needs of young people and their communities digitally.
“As well as moving our services online, we’ve had to think about how we can provide opportunities for those young people most in need; who otherwise are unable to access our support.”
The charity continues to share ‘Boredom Buster’ videos twice a day, and is also now holding a virtual youth club three times a week. Find out more via www.youngbristol.com/.
10.46am
Police are warning people to stay safe online amid a rise in fraudulent activity.
More than 2,000 computer-based scams have been reported since the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, according to new national figures released by the National Cyber Security Centre.
9.32am
A six-year-old boy with spina bifida has raised more than £128,000 for the NHS in just two days.
Frank Mills originally set out to raise £99 by walking 10m with his frame.
The six-year-old was inspired by Captain Tom Moore, who marked his 100th birthday by walking 100 lengths of his garden to raise money for the NHS.
Frank, who uses a wheelchair and only started walking 18 months ago, has captured the hearts of people around the world and donations have been flooding in. His family say he is going to try and do the walk every day now.
Support the fundraiser via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/franksfinishlinefundraiser.
9am
Good morning and welcome to today’s live blog bringing you news from across Bristol.
In the latest news:
- Some airports are “at risk” of closure because of the loss of business in the coronavirus pandemic, experts have warned.
- NHS supplies of face masks could be put at risk if the government starts advising the public to wear them, hospital bosses have warned.
- Barn on the Farm festival has been postponed until July 2021.
Main photo: Lowie Trevena
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