 Latest local data on COVID-19
Here is the latest data on cases of COVID-19 in Southampton. It is important to remember that the virus has not gone away and the situation can change rapidly, as we are seeing in other parts of the country.
The Government’s ‘Rule of Six’ is now in effect, limiting indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than six people in many settings in England.
It is critical that we all follow guidance to protect ourselves, our families and others and help prevent the spread of COVID-19 transmission:
-
HANDS – Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol.
-
FACE – Wear a face covering in indoor settings like shops and public transport, where it is required, where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
-
SPACE – Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre where this is not possible with extra precautions in place.
If you have symptoms or a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19), it is very important that you self-isolate immediately for 10 days (14 days for those you live with). Visit the NHS website to book a free test, or where you can’t use the online website portal, call NHS 111 for advice.
In addition to accessing NHS testing for COVID-19 through a home testing kit or attending a drive-through testing site (appointment required), those that have COVID-19 symptoms can now also access a test by attending a Southampton local testing site, open 7 days a week (appointment required).
Read about all the latest changes to guidance that have taken place this week on the UK Government coronavirus web pages.
You can see the full dashboard we use to track the virus in Southampton on our website.
Please note that Public Health England do make small revisions to their data retrospectively after publication day. This means that if comparing with previous weeks, the numbers may not correspond precisely.
 New visitor data law for leisure and hospitality venues
From today, 18 September, certain hospitality and leisure venues are required by law to collect personal details when people enter the premises. From next week, there will also be a legal requirement for those premises to display a poster with a QR code linked to a new test and trace app for coronavirus (COVID-19).
There is a higher risk of transmitting COVID-19 in premises where customers and visitors spend a longer time in one place and, potentially, come into close contact with other people outside of their household.
Establishments in the following sectors should now collect details and maintain records of staff, customers and visitors who visit a site, whether for work or to make use of a service/facilities:
- hospitality, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés
- tourism and leisure, including hotels, museums, cinemas, zoos and theme parks
- close contact services, including hairdressers, barbershops and tailors
- facilities provided by local authorities, including town halls and civic centres for events, community centres, libraries and children’s centres
- places of worship, including use for events and other community activities
Second walk-through testing site now open
A second walk-through COVID-19 testing site is now open in Southampton at Woodley Road Car Park, Woolston.
The site is being run by Mitie on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care as part of the Government’s UK-wide drive to increase testing for coronavirus. Read more here.
Woodley Road joins Marlborough Road Car Park (South) in Shirley as the second walk-through COVID-19 testing site in Southampton. We are in active discussions to secure further walk-through testing sites to serve other areas of Southampton. Learn more about Southampton walk-through sites at: southampton.gov.uk/localtestingsites
Appointments for the local testing site will be available to anyone with coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms – a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense or taste, or those who have been asked to get tested by a doctor, public health professional or by their local council. The sites are open seven days a week 8am-8pm, subject to national capacity.
You must book ahead at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. Both sites at Shirley and in Woolston will not be accepting people that turn up without an appointment.
 UK City of Culture 2025
Southampton is bidding to become the UK City of Culture 2025 and this week saw the virtual launch event to businesses. We are just one of many partners in this initiative that, if we are successful, could deliver substantial economic, social and cultural impacts for our residents and businesses.
We want our bid to become the UK City of Culture to be inclusive and to get the whole city involved. We need people to share their ideas and opinions as well as their creativity. Find out how you can get involved here.
There will be a public launch event on 7 October 2020. More details to follow.
 Rapid Bus Corridor including Park and Ride coming 2022
This week we started work at Mountbatten Way, which is being widened eastbound to create a new lane and extend the existing right-hand turn into West Quay Road. These works signal the early beginnings of a new game-changing Rapid Bus Corridor that will run from Totton and Hythe to Southampton city centre. The project forms part of our innovative Transforming Cities programme.
This includes a new Park and Ride site at J1 of M271 – we’ll be working with University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust to support the existing Park and Ride serving Southampton General Hospital at Adanac Park in the week. We’ll also be trialling a weekend Park and Ride service running to Southampton city centre and Central Station via M271 and A33.
We’re delivering the corridor in partnership with Hampshire County Council, with further works to follow on both the Southampton and Hampshire sides of the corridor over the next two years ahead of completion in 2022. We’ll be consulting closely with organisations, residents and stakeholders throughout, with the next phase of consultation to begin from 5 October. Read the full story here.
 Cancellation of Southampton Boat Show
The Minister of State has upheld our decision to issue the direction which cancelled the Southampton International Boat Show (Boats 2020) that was due to take place in the city.
Following submissions by British Marine (the organisers of the Boats 2020 event) and the council, The Minister of State considered the evidence that was used by the council’s Director of Public Health to recommend the cancellation of the event, and found that the actions taken by Southampton City Council responded to a serious and imminent threat to public health. Read more here.
Upcoming funfairs cancelled and other events under review
Following recent increases in national infection rates and changes to legislation and guidance from Government, the decision has been made to withdraw consent for events on council land that are due to take place until the end of October, which includes the funfairs that were due to take place in the city over the next few weeks.
More information can be found here.
 It's time to apply for school places
Calling parents and carers of children... applications are open for places to start school or transfer to a secondary school in September 2021. You can make your application online through our website, which also includes additional information to help guide you through the process.
If your child was born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017, you can apply for a reception (Year R) place. If they are in Year 2, they can apply for a Year 3 place. You should apply before the national deadline of 15 January 2021.
If your child is currently in Year 6 of a primary or junior school, you will need to apply for a Year 7 place in a secondary school for September 2021. You should apply before the national deadline of 31 October this year.
We strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible and make use of all your preferences to get the best chance of securing a school that you are happy with and is closest to home.
Community Chest grants
We recently awarded £32,299 to local community and voluntary organisations via round one of the Community Chest and Celebrations Grants Schemes. We are now inviting new applications from community groups, small voluntary organisations and social enterprises in the city with annual incomes of less than £250,000 for the next round.
Communicare, a local charity that enriches the quality of life of lonely and isolated people in and around Southampton, was awarded £448 in round one of the celebrations grant.
Annie Clewlow, Manager at Communicare, said: “This grant will help us to ensure that we are able to include far more of those who need active support to get involved in any kind of social activity. It makes a huge difference to those who have little opportunity to have any real life connection with the world, especially in the current situation. This is one of the grants with the least amount of hassle and red tape to deal with. I would recommend it to anyone who meets the relevant criteria.”
You can apply here, or for support with an application email grants@southampton.gov.uk
 Estates Gazette event – the Future of Southampton
Estates Gazette held a virtual webinar this week, with attendees from throughout the UK representing key trade and industry sectors operating in Southampton.
The online event looked at the challenges that will lie ahead for the city, once the pandemic is fully under control and we return to a new normal. With developments still in progress, a healthy uptake in university applications and a strong plan for recovery, Southampton has much to look forward to.
The webinar focused on two themes: working together in the recovery period and a greener, cleaner future.
A recording of the event will be available soon. Read more here.
 New greener, lower emission waste collection vehicles replace older models
As we strive to reset the balance as the battle against the COVID pandemic continues, we’re looking to significantly increase the measures put in place to support the long-term vision of becoming a cleaner, healthier city.
Our Green City plan has taken another step forward following the introduction of nine new greener, lower emission waste collection fleet vehicles, which replace older models. Find out more on our website.
Advice for new or returning students
If you are a new or returning university student in Southampton then we’d like to offer you a very warm welcome to our city.
To help you as a Southampton resident, we've put together a checklist of things you need to do around major life events, such as being a fresher or a returning student living in Southampton.
Southampton is a vibrant and well-connected city, proud of its diverse community and boasting two universities alongside world-class shopping and entertainment, restaurants, a rich history and so much more. We’re here to help you make the most of student life in Southampton.
For more information visit our website.
|
