Southampton is open
 As of this week, retail spaces, leisure centres & gyms, community spaces, outdoor hospitality and more reopen as part of the government's roadmap out of national lockdown.
The main things to remember continue as follows:
- You can meet outdoors to socialise either with one other household or as part of a group no greater than 6 people.
- Please limit the number of journeys you take - you can travel locally and stay domestically overnight.
- You must continue to work from home if possible and travel abroad is strictly prohibited unless you are permitted to do so.
COVID-19 marshals will be out across the city supporting businesses reopening and to help everyone keep to the rules and stay safe.
We are making good progress in the plans to lift lockdown but please remember that there are still steps we must take to keep ourselves and each other safe.
Please continue to work together, observe the rules and follow 'Hands. Face. Space.' in order to prevent more infections, which would only reduce our chances of meeting the June 21 date and going back to our normal lives this summer.
Find out more.
We’ve missed you so much
 This week saw the launch of ‘We’ve Missed You SO Much – Welcome Back’, a campaign the council developed with GO! Southampton to provide residents with information on which local businesses are open, key safety measures as well as things to see and do in the city.
Visit www.visitsouthampton.co.uk and follow their social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to stay up to date with the latest information.
Watch the video here.
Aged 45 or over? Say YES to the COVID-19 vaccine
 If you are aged 45 or over, are clinically vulnerable, a frontline worker or a carer, you can now book your COVID-19 vaccination through the NHS website even if you haven’t yet received a letter.
You must book your appointment before you go to a vaccination centre. We are aware of other scam messages circulating – please ignore them. The NHS will never ask you for money or your bank details for your vaccination – it is free.
You can book an appointment now if:
- You are aged 45 or over
- You are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
- You are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
- You have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
- You are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus
You can book appointments at a larger vaccination centre or a pharmacy that provides COVID-19 vaccinations.
If you have received an invitation, say YES to the COVID-19 vaccine and book your appointment call 119, or contact your GP surgery to book
Please make sure you plan your journey responsibly to allow for as much social distancing as possible.
Symptom-free testing helps to reduce spread of COVID in schools
 Symptom-free testing is not only free and accessible, but it also really does work in helping to break chains of transmission and reduce infections.
Our data shows us that symptom-free testing made a substantial contribution to helping to curb COVID-19 in schools and colleges following the return of a majority of pupils in March. It did so by detecting nearly half the confirmed cases of the virus in education settings in that period – cases where individuals would not have shown symptoms but might otherwise have gone on to infect others.
Ahead of the start of the new school term, the impact of symptom-free testing shows us why it is vital that as many people as possible participate in regular testing to help keep schools and their wider communities safe.
You can read the full story about the impact of testing in schools and also find more information about COVID-19 testing on our website.
Voting in the Elections Next Month
 On Thursday 6 May residents in Southampton will go to the polls to have their say on who represents them at our Local Elections and who will be the Police and Crime Commissioner for the Hampshire Police Force Area.
To vote residents must be on the electoral register. The deadline to register to vote is midnight on Monday 19 April – so be quick! It takes just five minutes to apply online at gov.uk/register-to-vote. The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April or 5pm on Tuesday 27 April for a proxy vote.
For those who choose to vote in person, arrangements will be in place to help ensure polling stations are COVID-19 safe – watch this film to find out more. Many of the measures will be familiar to voters, as they have been in place for some months in shops and banks, such as social distancing, use of hand sanitiser and face coverings (unless exempt). Voters can bring their own pencil or pen.
For more information visit our website.
Ramadan Mubarak! If you’re observing Ramadan, find information on how to keep safe
 Do you have concerns about what Ramadan means for you when it comes to keeping yourself and your loved ones safe from COVID-19?
According to guidance from the Muslim Council for Britain:
- The vaccine is halal
- Getting a vaccination does not invalidate your fast
- Taking a PCR/Lateral Flow Test does not invalidate your fast
- It is key to observe the Rule of 6 (no socialising indoors, outdoors in groups of 6 or two households only) during this important time
If you have any more questions, you can find guidance on these topics and more on the Muslim Council for Britain's website.
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