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Supporting Your Business – We’re Stronger Together 

20 March 2020 - Update #2


This is our latest email bulletin relating to the COVID-19 outbreak - for all the latest information about our services, how we can help you and links to national and local updates, please visit our dedicated webpage.


Latest Government Announcements

The Government is continuing to hold daily, televised media briefings. Today's press conference is expected to include an announcement from the Chancellor about  an employment and wage subsidy package. The briefings usually take place sometime between 4pm and 6pm and you can watch live on BBC News and BBC iPlayer.


The Government has today announced a new service allowing employees to obtain an online isolation note for providing proof of absence from work - more details here.


Following the announcement on Wednesday that schools would be closing with the exception of a provision for vulnerable children and children of key workers, more information regarding what constitutes a key worker has now been published here.


Help With Promotion

In these incredibly challenging times, more than ever we want to help promote our businesses. If you are offering home delivery, a takeaway option - see the Government's announcement about making it easier for pubs and restaurants to offer hot food takeaways here - or offer gift cards for purchase please let us know at content@gosouthampton.co.uk so we can share on our Visit Southampton social media channels. Please also let us know if you need us to amend anything on your business directory listing on visitsouthampton.co.uk.


Reduced Services For Transport Operators

Following the Government's announcement urging people to avoid all but essential travel, many transport operators are implementing reduced timetables from next week. See below for updates from individual operators:


South Western Railway

Southern Rail

CrossCountry

Great Western Railway

Bluestar

First Southampton

Xela Bus

Red Funnel Ferries

Hythe Ferry


Useful Links  

  • For Government guidance for businesses, employers and employees go here
  • Sign up for government updates here
  • View the Council's latest coronavirus information here
  • Sign up for the Council's business e-newsletter here
  • For helpful advice from ACAS on employment issues go here
  • For NHS coronavirus advice and information go here


Our Contact Information  

You can reach the BID team via info@gosouthampton.co.uk. Contact details for individual team members are on our website here.


If you have any queries at all, or if you think we might be able to help you with something specific, please do not hesitate to contact us.