Coronavirus Guidance

On this page, you’ll find information related to the coronavirus pandemic and relevant national measures which will affect any planned visit to Southampton. Given the fast-changing nature of the current situation, the information on this page may change at any time. 

Southampton is in the national lockdown until further notice. 

COVID-19 (caused by coronavirus) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. If you are unsure of what COVID-19 is or need medical advice please go to the NHS page here. If you think you may have any of the symptoms please call 111.

As of 5 January 2021, England are in a National Lockdown. This means that: 

• You must stay at home except for limited reasons
• You cannot mix with others outside of your household/support bubble in any indoor setting (public or private)
• You can only meet one other person from another household outdoors
• Non-essential businesses (including retail, leisure, accommodation and hospitality) remain closed
• You may only travel to work when you cannot work from home

You may only leave your home to:

• Shop for essential goods for yourself or a vulnerable person
• Go to work or provide charitable services, if you cannot do so from home
• Exercise outside with your household/support bubble or one other person - limited to once per day and to remain in your local area
• Meet your childcare/support bubble
• Seek medical assistance or to avoid domestic abuse
• Attend education/childcare - (for those eligible)

For full Government guidance on what you can and cannot do in lockdown please go here.

Continuing Government guidelines ask everyone to:

• Limit contact with other people
• Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
• Wash your hands regularly
• Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms
• Wear a face covering in all indoor settings, unless exempt

It is now mandatory to wear a face covering in all indoor settings such as shops, supermarkets, beauty salons, museums, cinemas and bowling alleys. You must also wear one in all hospitality settings (bars, restaurants, cafes) unless you are sat down at a table eating and/or drinking. You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate medical reason not to. Shop owners may refuse your entry if you do not wear one and you can be fined by the Police of up to £100. You can find more information on how to wear and make your own face covering here. 

As of 5 January 2021, all non-essential businesses must remain closed. This includes:

• Non-essential retail shops - although some may be open for click & collect services
• Pubs, bars, cafés and restaurants - although some may be open for delivery/takeaway services
• Hairdressers, tattooists, beauty salons and gyms
• Hotels, B&Bs, guest houses and other accommodation
• Cinemas, bowling allies, theatres, galleries, museums and any other leisure venues

Please visit our Keep Southampton Safe page to find out the measures that are being put in place to help your trip to Southampton a hassle-free, safe and enjoyable one.

Under national lockdown guidance all physical events in Southampton due to take place now will be cancelled or postponed.

Our events listings are powered by The List, a third-party events portal, who are working hard to get all events updated as quickly as possible. However, if you were planning to attend a specific event we advise you to contact the event organiser/venue directly for the most up-to-date information.

Our new Southampton From Your SOfa pages allows you to connect with cultural venues across the city through online events, exhibitions, games, concerts, clubs, courses and resources. Until our city is fully up and running again we will bring you the best of what Southampton has to offer, available to you from the comfort of your own SOfa.

As a result of COVID-19, many transport providers across the country are operating reduced services. In terms of operators serving Southampton, please see go to our dedicated page here.  Please note it is mandatory to wear face coverings on any form of public transport unless exempt for medicial reasons. You can read how to make you own here. In terms of operators serving Southampton, please see links below for some specific updates:

Rail

South Western Railway

Southern Rail

CrossCountry

Great Western Railway

Bus & Coach Travel

National Express 

Bluestar

First Southampton

Xela Bus

Air

Southampton Airport ­

Ferry & Crusie

Red Funnel Ferries

Hythe Ferry

Cruise Travel - the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) currently advises against all but essential travel abroad, including cruises, until further notice. If your planned cruise is essential travel please contact your cruise line to check if you can still travel.

As of 5 January 2021, pubs, cafés, restaurants and bars are closed due to the national lockdown. 

Some restaurants are still operating a delivery service through their own website or via third-party platforms such as Uber Eats or Deliveroo. Some outlets may be running a takeaway collection service as well/instead. We are attempting to keep our business listings up-to-date with this information, however businesses' are understandably changing their operations at very short notice in this unprecedented period, so please check directly with individual businesses for the very latest information.

If you are a business in Southampton and need information head to our GO! Southampton COVID-19 page for businesses support and guidance. 

You can also find the latest guidance and support for tourism businesses during COVID-19 on the Visit England Business Advice Hub. 

*Information correct as of 5 January 2021*