Moving into Step 4 of the Government's roadmap all of Southampton is back open read for you to enjoy. A number of initiatives have been implemented to ensure the city centre is a safe, comfortable place to visit. The city might look a little different but it's still the same at heart. You will find some helpful information and updates on this page to help you have an enjoyable visit.
Please enjoy our city responsibly and help keep you and others safe. If you are unsure about the changes in Step 4 from Monday 19th July 2021 go here.
Preparations for the safe reopening of Southampton city centre have been jointly managed by GO! Southampton and Southampton City Council. Similar measures are also being put in place in selected district centres. You can read more about the measures in place here.
Throughout the city centre, you will see floor markers to help you follow social distancing guidelines whilst queuing outside stores. These have been installed for your safety and to help minimise the spread of coronavirus. You may also notice:
From Monday 19th July, all businesses in every sector will be able to open with no capacity restrictions. This includes shops, restaurants, bars, health & beauty businesses, gyms, cinemas, theatres, galleries, indoor leisure facilities and hotels. What's more, all of Southampton's nightclubs, bars and music venues will be able to reopen, some for the first time this year.
From the 19th July 2021, it will no longer be a legal requirement to wear a face covering. However some people who are more vulnerable, or for other reasons, may still choose to wear a face covering when in and around the city. Please be respectful to them as well as staff members who may also choose to wear a face covering when serving you.
The Government expects and recommends that people wear a face covering in crowded areas to help keep themselves and others safe. This could be areas like public transport (trains, buses, taxis) and inside shopping centres or busy shops/restaurants.
As all restrictions lift from 19th July, its important to know that every business and venue in Southampton will be operating differently and may have different rules/asks of their customers. We recommend checking with individual businesses before visiting the city to understand the measures they have put in place.
Although measures cannot be enforced upon customers, some places may still ask you to wear a face covering when moving around the business and some may still have social distancing measures such as floor stickers and perspex screens in place. It's likely that some hospitality venues may also continue to ask you to sign in with the NHS App and may still have table service/App ordering available.
We are excited that events are back in Southampton and there is so much to see and do in the coming months. Make sure you check our What's On page for the latest Southampton events listings.
Much like businesses, events will be run differently to each other all with the main goal of keeping everyone safe whilst having fun. Some events may use the NHS Covid Pass (as Government guidance advises) whilst some may ask you to sign in via the NHS Test & Trace App. Please check the policies at each event before booking and we recommend you take your face covering and hand sanitiser to events in case you need them.
Where possible and appropriate, walking and cycling to and around Southampton is encouraged. If you are using public transport remember that it's encouraged to wear a face covering and continue to use hand sanitiser. Please check with individual providers for more details.
Southampton City Council has partnered with Voi on a new e-scooter pilot scheme which is a great way to get around the city for short journeys, find out more here.
A dedicated cleaning team, provided by GO! Southampton and Southampton City Council, has been working hard to ensure our city centre is safe for businesses to open and visitors/residents to return. The cleaning team is disinfecting high contact areas of the city centre with antiviral spray on a daily rotation which includes public furniture such as benches, fingerposts and bins as well as ATMs, phone boxes and gates. They are also cleaning contact areas of car parks such as handrails, lifts and ticket machines. You should still continue to wash your hands and use hand sanitiser regularly.
Southampton City Council has introduced new Covid Marshals into the city to encourage visitors to follow COVID-19 safety guidance. The Covid marshals will be out and about in the city centre (and district centres) to explain and inform both businesses and members of the public about the latest Government guidelines to help keep everyone safe. You can find out more about the marshals here.
Some of the safety measures have been implemented using some of the £225,000 from the England European Regional Development Fund. This marketing campaign aims to reassure, encourage and inspire residents in Southampton and the surrounding areas to visit the city which is safe and ready for their return. Visit Southampton and Southampton City Council will also be using some of the grant funding to amplify these messages through paid-for channels, such as: digital, local press, radio and leaflet drops. We will publish outcomes and results on this page once the campaign comes to an end.
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