Coronavirus live updates, March 27 2020: expressing thanks to key workers

The end of the week finally brings news on support available for self-employed people affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

Communities are finding new ways to adjust, stay safe and support each other while Bristol remains on lockdown.

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Scroll down to see all the latest updates:

5.50pm
That’s the end of our live blog for today. Join us tomorrow for more live updates from 6.30am.

5.40pm
Here’s a roundup of the day’s events:

• Prime minister Boris Johnson and health secretary Matt Hancock test positive for Covid-19.
• Coronavirus testing for frontline staff will begin immediately, with dramatic upscale next week.
• In Bristol, all NHS staff and care workers can park for free, food parcels will be delivered within 48 hours and 250 room have been negotiated for the homeless.

5.20pm
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees announces that food parcels will be delivered within 48 hours and will be immediately distributed to those who need them and that the council are working to advertise jobs for self-employed people.

He also says that NHS staff and care workers can park for free, registering births is postponed and that 250 rooms have been negotiated for the city’s homeless population.

5.07pm
Nightingale hospitals to be built in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

5.04pm
Coronavirus testing for frontline staff will begin immediately, with dramatic upscale next week.

5.02pm
Michael Gove says that cases are doubling every three to four days.

3.05pm
Staff at Easton’s Plough Inn are making community food boxes and frozen meals for those that need it, free of charge. They are delivered each day and those in need can email [email protected] for more information.

Fresh fruit and vegetables at the Plough Inn. Photo courtesy of the Plough Inn

3.01pm
The number of confirmed cases in Bristol is 51, according to Public Health England.

2.21pm
Ben England, a choir master living and working in Bristol, is running a choir for children. He is streaming every weekday on YouTube at 11am. His first session, held this morning, was watched by hundreds of people across the globe.

2.01pm
FareShare South West say thanks to Bristol Waste workers.

1.05pm
Health secretary Matt Hancock tests positive for Covid-19.

11.48am
Cleaning teams are working hard to keep the city clean and disinfected.

11.19am
Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus.

11.09am
Love Saves The Day are postponing the festival in light of the council’s new restrictions on outdoor events. They hope to reschedule for September 5 and 6.

10.25am
On World Theatre Day, the Bristol Old Vic is raiding its archives to tell people what show was being performed on its famous stage on their birthday.

10am
The chief executive of a Bristol concert hall has thanked supporters, audiences and artists, saying: “In difficult times, the arts can inspire and strengthen our community.” Read more here.

9.20am
Feed The Homeless are using Ashton Gate Stadium’s sports bar to pack items for the city’s vulnerable people.

8.57am
Last night at 8pm, people across the country and across Bristol, stepped onto their balconies, into their gardens and leaned out their windows, to give a round of applause to NHS staff.

7.56am
Bristol Ferry will be holding a virtual tour on Facebook and Instragram at 5pm.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NBo1bDpR_/?igshid=1p021pimmcdh1

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

In the latest developments:

• Chancellor Rishi Sunak has revealed details of the support package available to self-employed workers.
• The nation gave thanks to NHS workers in a countrywide round of applause.
• Avon and Somerset police are asking people to report non-emergency issues online following the closure of most enquiry offices.
• Bristol’s buses are to operate a Sunday service from Monday, March 30.
• The city’s waste and recycling centres in St Philip’s and Avonmouth are now closed during the coronavirus outbreak.

Main photo by Ellie Pipe

Read more: Pollution decreases in Bristol under coronavirus restrictions