Coronavirus live updates, March 25 2020: Quiet on Bristol’s streets

With all non-essential shops and facilities across Bristol now closed, city leaders and police are urging people to adhere to the government’s lockdown measures.

People who are healthy and able are also being encouraged to sign up to help the city’s volunteering efforts in the face of an unprecedented health emergency.

Scroll down for today’s latest news and updates:

6.05pm:
That’s the end of our live blog for today. See you tomorrow morning.

5.46pm
Here’s a rundown of today’s developments:

• Coronavirus mass home testing to be made available across the UK “within days”, according to Public Health England.
• Bristol mayor Marvin Rees announces that all outdoor, public events are cancelled until July. This includes the Great Bristol Run, Bristol Pride and the Bristol Harbour Festival.
• Arnos Vale Cemetery and Bristol Cathedral have closed.
• From tomorrow, Clifton Suspension Bridge will no longer accept cash payments to ensure all drivers pay their toll without touching coins or notes.

5.41pm
New street art has appeared in Stokes Croft.

A message of support to the NHS staff. Photo by Anna Baylis

5.33pm
Adding to Marvin Rees’ announcement, organisers of the Great Bristol 10k and Great Bristol Family Run have said: “We understand this will be disappointing news to over 12,000 people who were planning to take part, but the safety of participants, spectators and of all those associated with the staging of the events is always our number one priority.”

5.29pm
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees announces that all outdoor public events are cancelled until July. This includes the Great Bristol Run, Bristol Pride and the Bristol Harbour Festival.

4.41pm
Territo Tailing, based on Park Street, are making bespoke masks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-KbnKRpCv5/

4.36pm
Arnos Vale Cemetery has closed.

4.30pm
Bristol Cathedral is now closed after following advice from archbishops.

4.09pm
From Friday, March 27, Clifton Suspension Bridge will no longer be accepting cash payments to ensure all drivers pay their toll without touching cash.

This temporary measure, introduced alongside a one way system on pedestrian footways, is to protect bridge users and employees and help reduce the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

Chair of the Trust, Chris Booy, said: “We realise this change may be an inconvenience for many of our users, but eliminating the handling of cash between drivers and our employees is one more way we can help slow the spread of COVID-19.”

The bridge remains open as a commuter route to vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Vehicles will be still be able to pay the £1 toll using contactless credit or debit cards, mobile phones, smart watches as well as bridge crossing cards.

4.06pm
Area 404 have postponed all spring events and are aiming to reschedule them for the autumn.

3.20pm
UWE Bristol vice chancellor Steve West has recorded a message for students, encouraging them to look out for each other and to engage with online learning resources.

2.28pm
Coronavirus mass home testing to be made available across the UK “within days”, says Public Health England.

2.20pm:
Bristol24/7’s Film Editor has put together some great boredom buster articles: find out how to watch indie and world cinema for free and read about an inspirational new documentary made by a Bristol collective.

1.55pm
Wriggle are hosting a pub quiz tomorrow at 7.30pm.

1.07pm
Bristol City striker Andreas Weimann perfects how to exercise at home with children.

12.31pm
The ridesharing app Ola is offering 10 rides at half price for NHS staff as a thank you. If you’re an NHS employee, simply sign up or sign in using your NHS email ID.

………………………………

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.

……………………………

12.29pm
Bristol Rovers are delivering free school meals to students from St Mary Redcliffe CE Primary School using their minibus.

12.18pm
The number of confirmed cases on Covid-19 in Bristol now stands at 37, according to Public Health England.

12.01pm
The Assembly Bakery on Old Market Street has closed.

11.07am
Prince Charles tests positive for Coronavirus.

9.52am
Love Saves The Day is working with Bristol City Council to find a way for the festival to take place.

9.43am
Storysmith, based in Bedminster, are still taking book orders.

9.16am
As of yesterday evening, Wriggle has removed all delivery and pick up options from the app, saying:

The only purchases now available through the Wriggle app are to support the #IndieKitty campaign. People can buy vouchers ranging in price from £5 to £40 to support independent businesses. These vouchers can be then be redeemed once Covid-19 passes.

8.51am
Darren Jones, MP for Bristol North West, will be giving an online tour of the Houses of Parliament at 2pm tomorrow, aimed at primary and secondary school children learning from home.

8.30am
Arnolfini will be holding a free, online workshop for families on Saturday at 2pm.

https://twitter.com/ArnolfiniArts/status/1242730489108201472

………………………………

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.

……………………………

6.30am
Good morning and welcome to today’s live blog as the UK starts its second day under lockdown.

In the latest developments:

• St Paul’s Carnival 2020 has been cancelled but organisers promise to keep the carnival spirit alive.
• Police bosses and mayor Marvin Rees have urged people to heed the new lockdown measures.
• Bristol’s Grand Iftar that usually takes place on St Mark’s Road has been cancelled.
• Bristol UWE and the University of Bristol have both closed all of their buildings, apart from residences.
• Bristol’s non-essential shops and facilities have all closed their doors.

Main photo by Ellie Pipe

Read more: Avon and Somerset bosses urge people to stay home and save lives