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The latest data on COVID-19 shows that the number of cases and the infection rate in Southampton continues to rise significantly. We expect cases to continue climbing as we enter the Christmas period.
 The increase in infections in the South East is being linked to a new strain of the COVID-19 virus, which early evidence suggests is passing from person to person more easily.
This presents a real threat to our local NHS. Hospital admissions to University Hospital Southampton have increased again this week. Capacity across the health system is fragile due to the additional strain that COVID is causing on top of the normal winter pressures.
Hands, Face, Space – Keep Southampton Safe
The roll-out of vaccines gives us hope for the future, but this will take a number of months. Until then it is vitally important that we keep infection in the community as low as possible. This is the only way we can protect our local health and social care services, reduce pressure on intensive care beds and protect our more clinically vulnerable residents.
Make sure you keep your distance from others not in your household, wear a face covering and wash your hands frequently or use hand sanitiser. Please also remember to work from home where you can.
Additional restrictions on what we can do on Christmas Day in Tier 2 have been announced by the government. Check out our detailed advice on having a safe Christmas on our website.
View the full weekly COVID-19 data dashboard for Southampton.
Getting help
If you are self-isolating and need support to stay at home, call the Southampton City Council COVID-19 Resident Helpline on 023 8083 4800 (open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm). For practical local support and information visit our website.
The rules on Christmas bubbles have changed
 The rules on Christmas bubbles have changed. Residents must stick to one small Christmas bubble of up to three households on Christmas Day and only meet at home or in outdoor public places. Meeting in a private garden does not include any outdoor buildings or structures such as a shed.
At all other times current tier restrictions apply. With COVID-19 cases rising, keep Christmas celebrations local to keep loved ones safe and protect vulnerable communities. Avoid travelling to other areas over the Christmas period.
When planning for Christmas day take care of family and loved ones.
Always:
- Wash your hands, open windows and doors to keep rooms ventilated.
- Clean surfaces and high touch areas regularly, such as your kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
- Keep an eye out for those who may be more vulnerable over the Christmas period, either emotionally or physically, and check that they are supported.
- Act responsibly and keep Southampton safe by following the national guidelines. Don’t risk catching the virus and spreading it to your friends and loved ones.
Never:
- Leave your home or have visitors if you have COVID-19 symptoms, or you’re self-isolating as a close contact. This includes on Christmas day.
Keep it local. Keep Southampton Safe. For more information visit our website.
Christmas and New Year opening times
🎄🎄 Visit our website to check when we'll be open during the festive season, including local COVID-19 test sites holiday hours. 🎄🎄
Please note that Shirley Library is currently closed and is due to reopen on 2 January 2021 at 10am.
Bin collections and Christmas trees
Your general waste, glass and recycling collection schedules will change over Christmas and News Year. Visit our website for information on revised collections. Please do not put wrapping paper in to your recycling bin unless it’s brown paper.
If you have a real Christmas tree then it would be fantastic if you could do your bit for the environment by taking it to the Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Millbrook, where it will be recycled in to compost. It will also be recycled if you have subscribed to our garden waste service. You will need to put your tree out for collection with that bin and cut the tree into manageable pieces in order for it to be collected.
Between 4-15 January 2021 you can put your tree out for collection with your general waste bin. You will need to cut the tree into manageable pieces in order for it to be collected. Once collected, the energy from the trees will be converted in to electricity!
Get your YOU back this Dry January
This year why not try cutting back how much you drink for a whole new you. This year has pushed many of us beyond our limits in many ways, so Dry January offers us a chance to reset ourselves in a healthy way: sleep better, lose weight, save money, improve your concentration and feel a sense of achievement.
Research shows that a month of abstaining or cutting down your alcohol consumption can positively affect your future drinking habit. But don’t go it alone. Try Dry January with some kind of support and you are twice as likely to stay dry the whole month.
Use the Dry January or One You Drink Free Days apps to track your units, calories and money saved through Dry January, and set your own goals year-round.
An update on our School Streets programme
 Our School Streets programme sees the roads outside schools closed to vehicles at drop off and pick up times to create a safer, greener and more attractive environment and help families travel sustainably to and from school. By removing through traffic, the scheme also provides additional space allowing families on the school run to follow social distancing guidelines with greater ease. Eight schools in Southampton have now introduced School Streets schemes, with six of these having commenced since September this year as part of our COVID-19 response. We recently paid a visit to one of these – Freemantle Church of England Community Academy – to hear from local parents, residents and teaching staff about the difference the scheme has made since coming into effect in November. Watch our video to hear what they had to say.
For more information about our School Streets programme, or to complete a survey about a School Streets scheme local to you, visit our website.
Nominate a Southampton hero for a Census 2021 Purple Plaque
 Do you know someone in Southampton who is a community hero? To mark Census 2021 in March next year, a competition has launched to find the nation’s unsung community heroes. 22 people across England & Wales, one for each census that has taken place, will have their community spirit and efforts commemorated with a unique purple plaque.
The iconic purple plaques, in the brand colour of Census 2021, can be placed at the winner’s home, place of work or a community building depending on their preference and permissions.
From a school teacher who has transformed lives, to a carer who has given comfort; Southampton is bursting with ordinary people who are doing extraordinary things.
You have until Thursday 31 December 2020 to nominate your community’s Census 2021 hero. Nominees will be judged by a panel of community champions, led by ‘Gavin and Stacey’ actress and TV presenter Joanna Page.
2020 winner of the Southampton City Council Christmas Card competition
 Congratulations to Oliwia, Aged 10, from Weston Park Primary School who is the 2020 winner of the Southampton City Council Christmas Card competition.
Pupils from the school in Weston got creative to be in with a chance to design the front cover of Southampton City Council’s Christmas card, which has now been sent out to 100’s of people in and beyond the city. The card was from Councillor Christopher Hammond (Leader of the Council), Councillor Sue Blatchford (Mayor of Southampton) and all staff at Southampton City Council.
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