Coronavirus live updates: May 20 2020

There have been five million recorded cases of coronavirus worldwide.

Under Government plans, schools in England are still due to open on June 1, although a growing number say they will ignore the directive.

Mayor Marvin Rees has said he will support headteachers in Bristol whether they decide reopening is the right course of action or not.

Scroll down for the latest updates:

5.40pm
That’s the end of our live blog for today. Thanks for reading and see you again tomorrow.

5.11pm
Here’s a round up of some of the news and updates from today:

• Boris Johnson was challenged by Labour leader Keir Starmer during PMQs over the “continued delay” in testing at care homes. The prime minister has said the UK will have a “world-beating” tracing system in place by the June 1.
• A “ground-breaking passenger counting facility” is among the measures being introduced to ensure social distancing guidelines can be adhered to on all Bristol’s buses.
• The organisers of Valley Fest have announced the festival will be postponed until 2021.
• Artspace Lifespace has been awarded funding it says will be instrumental in supporting artists and creative practitioners in Bristol and the surrounding area.
• #WeAreBristolKids is a new resource for children and parents launched by Bristol City Council.

4.54pm
The Prime Minister has said the UK will have a “world-beating” tracing system in place by the June 1.

Boris Johnson was challenged by Labour leader Keir Starmer during PMQs over the “continued delay” in testing at care homes, while Rosie Duffield, MP for Canterbury questioned why so few women are leading the daily government press conferences on coronavirus.

4.12pm
Bristol24/7 is hearing reports of a biscuit thief on the loose in the area.

Police are searching for a small clay character covered in suspicious-looking crumbs.

3.36pm
A “ground-breaking passenger counting facility” is among the measures being introduced to ensure social distancing guidelines can be adhered to on all Bristol’s buses.

First West of England bosses say they are seeking to give people further reassurance about the safety of bus travel and guarantee the ongoing safety of customers and employees as plans to ease restrictions progressively unfold.

The most visible sign will be on board where passengers will be clearly directed to only use seats that are at an appropriate distance from each other. This will reduce the capacity of each bus by more than 75 per cent.

There will also be a facility added to the Ticketer machine, which is on each bus, that allows drivers to count passengers on and off and report on capacity.

James Freeman, managing director at First, said: “We are introducing additional social distancing measures on our operating bus fleet across the region as well as a wide range of travel safely advice – from wearing a face covering to using contactless payment.

“We expect there will be occasions when customers may not be able to board their intended journey due to capacity levels being reached. In line with this, we are therefore advising those who cannot avoid public transport to check their journey details in advance, avoid busier periods and allow extra time for their journey as they may need to wait if their bus is full when it arrives.

“We would ask for people’s patience during these challenging times as lockdown restrictions are lifted, as we adapt our service provision around the government’s guidance. Together we can all play a crucial role in getting the region back on its feet again.

Freeman added: “We are also working hard with central government and locally with West of England Combined Authority and North Somerset Council and are almost ready to increase our levels of service.”

2.22pm
Mayor Marvin Rees is hosting a fortnightly Facebook Q&A session at 6.30pm today.

1.50pm
The organisers of Valley Fest have announced the festival will be postponed until 2021.

The annual outdoor celebration of food and music was due to place on Luke Hassell’s Chew Valley farm on the weekend of July 31, but will instead be held from July 30 – August 1 2021.

In a statement, organisers said: “We tried for as long as possible to stay optimistic, but unfortunately, we have now taken the tough decision to reschedule Valley Fest 2020 on the grounds of safety.

“Holding a large event requires support from local services and we simply cannot take vital provisions away from the front lines at this time.

“Keeping everyone safe is always at the forefront of our planning: you, artists, crew, traders and partners are all incredibly important to us. We cannot risk putting anyone in jeopardy and so rescheduling is the best way to achieve this.

“We hope you will understand that this decision has not been made lightly and is going to cause us significant challenges, cashflow being one.  And this could be something you can help us with so that we’ll be able to celebrate and party in 2021.”

1.26pm
Artspace Lifespace has been awarded funding it says will be instrumental in supporting artists and creative practitioners in Bristol and the surrounding area.

The charity that recycles vacant, under-used and problem properties and turns them into thriving creative resources has secured the money via the Arts Council Emergency Response Fund.

Rachel Kelly, marketing coordinator for Artspace Lifespace says: “The grant will help us to make our venues safe and accessible when we’re able to re-open, and ensures our resilience as a small independent charity.

“Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at creative new ways of using our dance, circus and visual arts spaces and how we can contribute to helping the arts flourish and bring communities back together.

“We’re hugely grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund, The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, and ACE for supporting us at this unprecedented time.”

12pm
Here’s a round up of some of the latest stories on Bristol24/7:

• Many business owners and self-employed people are crying out for help as the disproportionate impact of the Covid-19 crisis is laid bare in a new report.
• The makers of some of Bristol’s most beautiful cakes, Aah Toots, launch an online shop.
• Behind the scenes on The Matthew – and why the ship needs support more than ever.
• The arts organisations bringing light into children’s lives during lockdown.

11.28am
Artist Andy Council has revealed his latest work – a new virtual reality version of his Bristol Dinosaur:

10.33am
Bedminster’s first ever virtual Secret Gardens event is due to take place from June 6.

The usual open weekend cannot take place as planned because of the lockdown restrictions, but people across the city can still enjoy tours of more than 15 gardens without leaving their homes.

Matthew Symonds, organiser of Bedminster’s Secret Gardens, said: “We’re disappointed that we can’t welcome people into our gardens this year and help raise funds for local community projects. But we’re excited to be able to invite people to visit them virtually with these film tours of our gardens. We hope that people will enjoy their ‘virtual’ visit until we can invite them to visit for real again in 2021.”

Find out more and view gardens from June 6 via www.bloomingbedminster.org.uk

People can enjoy virtual tours of Bedminster gardens – image courtesy of Bedminster’s Secret Gardens organisers

9.07am
Some familiar faces will be on screens in homes across the city as part of an online hub launched by Bristol City Council.

#WeAreBristolKids is a new resource for children and parents that will feature some famous people and landmarks, including actor Joe Sims.

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

• Shindig Festival organisers are hosting a virtual festival on Saturday, May 23.
• Avon Fire and Rescue Service will continue provide its additional support to South Western Ambulance Service until June 5.
• Donald Trump has said he is taking hydroxychloroquine to ward off coronavirus, despite public health officials warning it may be unsafe.
• Bristol24/7 is on the hunt for new journalists to help us report community news during the coronavirus crisis.

Main photo: Lowie Trevena

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