Live coronavirus updates, March 20 2020: Schools to shut indefinitely from this afternoon

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.

6.10pm
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.

6.05pm
Here’s a roundup of key events from today:

• Bristol South MP Karin Smyth is in self-isolation after developing coronavirus symptoms.
• Prime minister Boris Johnson has said all pubs, cafes and restaurants must close from today, with the exception of takeaways.
• GWR is reducing its train service to Bristol and on local branch lines.
• An increasing number of Bristol businesses are offering takeaway and delivery options in a bid to stay afloat during these unprecedented times.

6pm
The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) has announced it will extend the hours concessionary bus passes can be used.

With some supermarkets opening just for older people or those with a disability for their first hour of the day during the coronavirus pandemic, existing restrictions on the Diamond Travelcards will be relaxed.

West of England mayor Tim Bowles said: “I want to make sure that our most vulnerable members of society are still able to get essential supplies.”

5.35pm
MP for Bristol South Karin Smyth has gone into self-isolation as she says she is showing symptoms of coronavirus.

5.30pm
The Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft honouring the nation’s heroes at this time.

5.20pm
Chancellor Rishi Sunak tells workers “you will not face this alone,” as he sets out the government’s economic response, including financial support for people who are out of work and for employers to pay wages.

5.15pm
Boris Johnson has said all cafes, pubs and restaurants must close from tonight.

Many in the industry have been calling for this since the prime minister advised everyone to stay indoors on Monday but stopped short of ordering venues to shut.

4.30pm
Avon and Somerset Police have issued a statement on their response in the face of “unique challenges”.

The force declared a major incident yesterday amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Issuing reassurance to the public, assistant chief constable (ACC) Nikki Watson said: “While this is an unprecedented situation, we have well-rehearsed plans in place to respond to events which could impact on the services we provide and we’re currently taking all the necessery steps to maintain our critical

“The public can be absolutely assured they will still see neighbourhood officers on patrol and we will still be responding to emergencies and high priority incidents as normal.”

As it stands, police stations and enquiry offices remain open to the public.

ACC Watson continued: “While the public won’t see any changes to frontline policing, we have, as you’d expect, needed to adapt many of the ways in which we work. Where appropriate, lower-level offences are now being addressed over the phone while all police employees who are able to work from home are doing so. All non-essential training, meetings and public engagements have also been cancelled.”

Emergency legislation now gives police power to return someone to isolation if they refuse to follow the instructions of a medical professional. This power will only be used in close cooperation with Public Health England and medical professionals and only if someone with the virus knowingly and deliberately endangers others.

4.20pm
Bedminster BID has compiled a list of businesses in the BS3 area open and able to deliver.

4.15pm
Bath Festivals has announced upcoming 2020 events will be either rescheduled or postponed.

This includes the 2020 Beethoven weekend in March, The Bath Festival and The Bath Festival Finale Weekend in May.

3.15pm
Bristol City Council has issued the latest updates for council tenants in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

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3.11pm
Bristol Aquarium remains open for business.

Bosses say they are doing everything they can to ensure the
safety of all visitors in response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID 19) situation.

2.35pm
Bristol Zoo and Wild Place Project have announced they are postponing a number of events.

Both remain open for now and say they are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and regularly reviewing guidance from Public Health England.

Among the events being postponed are animal health evening classes, zoo babies Easter trail, terrific transformations sticker trail and the Spring along the Promenade walk.

Visit www.bristolzoo.org.uk/or www.wildplace.org.uk/ for full details.

https://twitter.com/BristolZooGdns/status/1240979433256898561

1.45pm
An increasing number of Bristol food and drink businesses are offering delivery services in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

These include Source Food Hall and Cafe in St Nick’s Market, which will be offering deliveries from next week, alongside takeaways.

https://twitter.com/sourcefoodcafe

The Bristol Loaf is offering takeaways and encouraging people to pre-order.

1.05pm
City to Sea is encouraging people to spread the love by sharing messages of positivity and kindness.

12.55pm
The owner of a number of Bristol pubs has announced temporary closures of some of its venues.

Butcombe Brewery bosses say the “difficult decision” has been made in order to protect the business as a whole and safeguard as many jobs as possible.

Most sites, includingThe Bell on Hillgrove Street and the Pelican Inn in Chew Magna, will be temporarily closed from Friday, March 20.

The Cottage Inn on Baltic Wharf and The Ostrich on Lower Guinea Street will remain open for now.

The Ostrich remains open for now – photo by Martin Booth

11.55am
All Boston Tea Party cafes are set to close temporarily due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The 23 branches across Bristol and the South West will close after Friday afternoon but company bosses say they will continue to employ and pay all of their teams.

CEO and co-owner Sam Roberts says; “We are all living in very strange, unprecedented times but we feel that this is the most responsible thing to do at this point.

“Our number one priority at this moment is to pay our team as much as we can for as long as we can. We will get through this; life will normalise once more. The way we act, the way we behave now, will define us for years to come.”

Sam adds that pay reductions will be biggest at  management and head office level in a bid to protect staff working on the ground in the cafes.

Boston Tea Party cafes are set to close temporarily

11.28am
Bristol24/’s Film Editor has put together a handy guide of what’s happening to all the new films you were hoping to see: Bristol’s week in film: coronavirus update

11.10am
Health bosses are urging members of the public not to stockpile medication during the coronavirus outbreak to ensure everyone can get what they need.

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG) has issued the statement after pharmacies reported running low on essential medications. They are also being inundated with prescription requests.

BNSSG medical director Dr Martin Jones warned over-ordering prescriptions is unnecessary and could put people at risk.

He said: “Huge pressure is being put on primary care and community pharmacists with extra ordering of medicines. We want to reassure people in our area that there is no need for you to do anything new or different with your medicines. People should order their prescriptions and take their medicines as normal.”

10.38am
Social enterprise 91 Ways has compiled a list of ways you can stay informed and help in the community.

9.50am
Mayor Marvin Rees has penned his reflections on the “new normal” after going into self-isolation.

9.42am
As all schools prepare to close their doors, Bristol councillors are working to shed light on what constitutes a key worker.

Children of people with vital roles to play amid the coronavirus outbreak will still be able to go to school, but there has been some confusion over what jobs are covered in this category.

Helen Godwin, the council’s cabinet member for women, children and young people has posted an updated list. This includes: health and social care, education and childcare, key public services, including charity and frontline workers, local and national government, providers of food, public services and transport.

Anna Keen, the cabinet member for education has posted a link with further information.

https://twitter.com/CllrAnnaKeen/status/1240932448894140416

8.33am
The Curzon cinema in Clevedon has announced it has closed its doors.

In a statement, cinema bosses said: “Our number one priority is the safety of our customers, staff and volunteers and whilst we have closed our doors to the public we are still working behind the scenes to provide you with some online content as a different form of entertainment over the coming weeks.

“We have been so buoyed by your support in our fundraising effort to save the Curzon from the impending doom of a leaky roof and now, after 108 years of continuously operating, through two world wars and the advent of the digital age, we find it hard to believe that we are closing our doors. But, with the same spirit of determination that you have shown us, we will keep running, in new and inventive ways.”

7.55am
Train services to Bristol and city branch lines will be reduced to reflect national government advice around non-essential travel.

Great Western Railway (GWR) will be running revised timetables from Monday, March 23, while maintaining services critical to keeping key workers moving during the current situation.

GWR interim managing director Matthew Golton said: “The railway is a critical part of the UK’s infrastructure and, even though many people are remaining at home due to the latest government advice, we will be relied upon to continue to help key workers in other sectors get to work so they can provide services critical to the day-to-day running of the country.

“Our responsibility is to run a service that can be relied upon at this time. We are taking sensible measures to make sure we are able to do so.”

People are advised to check their journey before travelling via www.gwr.com/travel-updates/check-your-journey.

GWR will be running a reduced timetable from Monday, March 23

7am
Good morning and welcome to Thursday’s live blog as we report on all of the latest news about the coronavirus outbreak in Bristol.

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In recent news:

• Bristol mayor Marvin Rees is in self-isolation after developing a cough.
• The number of cases in Bristol has risen to 12.
• All schools in England will shut from today.
• Avon and Somerset Constabulary declare a major incident in response to coronavirus.

Main photo by Martin Booth

Read more: Coronavirus: support and guidance for people in Bristol