Live coronavirus updates, March 21 2020: pubs, cafes and restaurants close

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.

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6pm
Thank you for reading today’s live blog. We’ll be returning on Monday. Stay safe.

5.51pm
Here are some of today’s main developments:

• Bristol mayor Marvin Rees writes that he has been “reflecting over the last few days just how humbling this situation is”.
• Bristol Balloon Fiesta is still due to go ahead in August.
• Mosques across the city have suspended all activities.
• Bristol Bears players and staff are taking a paycut from April 1 as the season remains suspended.

5.21pm
The 10am Mothers Day service at Bristol Cathedral will be their first ever live-streamed Sunday service.

4.17pm
Will be seeing scenes like this from earlier today in Bristol for much longer?

3.29pm
Bristol comedian Mark Watson is (sort of) missing the usual Saturday afternoon football:

3.09pm
From Monday, Source in St Nick’s Market will only be open from midday to 1pm, but they will be delivering across Bristol and to local hubs. Read more here.

2.34pm
Bristol’s deputy mayor, Asher Craig, currently in self-isolation after returning from holiday in Malta, has shared a call for people to thank the NHS next week:

https://twitter.com/CllrAsherCraig/status/1241354291920560132

1.20pm
Missing live music? Bands who have been forced to cancel shows are already announcing new dates in the autumn:

12.33pm
Balloon Fiesta organisers say that they are “exploring the various options available to us”, with the annual event still due to take place at Ashton Court from August 6 to 9.

12.01pm
Bristol Old Vic is learning lessons from the past:

11.36am
Bristol City midfielder Korey Smith has just raised the bar of stay-at-home challenges:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9_ZusFJWR3/

11.04am
We can all be more like Shaun:

10.38am
In his latest blog about his time in self-isolation, Bristol mayor Marvin Rees writes that he has been “reflecting over the last few days just how humbling this situation is”.

He said: “Humanity has put landing craft on Mars, scaled the tallest mountains, built machines that have enabled us to explore within a second of the Big Bang and established ourselves the species able to dominate every life form on the planet. And then this invisible, impersonal, unconscious thing comes along and leaves us with few responsible options other than to stop seeing each other. It humbles an economic system that’s become the measure of all things and takes our jobs, stops us riding buses, closes down our sports and festivals.

“We will get through this. Our hope is real. But we will have a new – hopefully deeper – understanding of ourselves and the way we have organised our world.”

9.29am
These are the latest updates from mosques across Bristol:

9.02am
The team behind Pasta Loco, Pasta Loco,La Sorella and Bianchis have joined forces under the banner of Nonna Bianchi’s Renaissance.

The restaurants will also be preparing food daily for delivery or pickup, including pasta packages, lasagne and baked goods.

It also sees the return of pop-up Cafe Mulino, serving pizza to takeaway.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B99-FH3p9FC/

8.23am
Ashton Gate Stadium is now closed but continues to be lit up blue every evening to show their continued thanks for those working in the NHS.

Ashton Gate Stadium lights up blue to support the NHS – photo: Ashton Gate Stadium

7.47am
Animals at Bristol Zoo and Wild Place will still be cared for despite both sites closing to the public on Friday.

Bristol Zoological Society chief executive, Dr Justin Morris, said: “We have been closely monitoring the situation and taking extra measures to minimise the risk to our visitors, employees and volunteers. However, we have now made the decision to close both sites.”

He added: “Our dedicated teams of keepers, vets and other essential staff will continue working to ensure our animals receive the best possible care.”

7.03am
Friday night was the lat night open for the foreseeable future for pubs. In Bristol city centre, thing were very quiet – with not many customers even in the pubs that had decided to remain open for one last hurrah.

6.30am
Good morning and welcome to Saturday’s live blog as we report on all of the latest news about the coronavirus outbreak in Bristol.

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Bristol24/7 relies on your support to fund our independent journalism and social impact projects. Become a member and enjoy exclusive perks from just £5 per month.

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In recent news:

• Bristol South MP Karin Smyth is in self-isolation after developing coronavirus symptoms.
• Prime minister Boris Johnson ordered all pubs, cafes and restaurants to close from Friday evening, with the exception of takeaways.
• Train services to Bristol and city branch lines will be reduced and Great Western Railway will be running revised timetables from Monday, March 23.
• An increasing number of Bristol businesses are offering takeaway and delivery options in a bid to stay afloat during these unprecedented times.
• Health bosses are urging members of the public not to stockpile medication during the coronavirus outbreak to ensure everyone can get what they need.
• Bath Festivals has announced upcoming 2020 events will be either rescheduled or postponed.

Main photo by Ellie Pipe

Read more: Resilience in St Paul’s during coronavirus outbreak