Coronavirus (Covid-19): Latest information and advice

We’re working closely with partner organisations and acting on the Government response as the Coronavirus situation develops. The NHS website is the best source of information and advice on prevention, how it's caught and spread, self-isolation, testing and treatment, and foreign travel.

If there are any changes to our services we will update our social media:

Community support pack

This pack is to support you and your community during the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Within it you’ll find a list of key contacts, resources and information in one place, which we hope you can share with your community to support each other as much as possible during this time.

Coronavirus community pack - pdf - 593 Kb

Support for businesses

The best source of advice for businesses, which includes more detail on all national business support schemes, is GOV.UK.

The Chancellor set out a package to support businesses through the disruption caused by COVID-19. The current package includes:

a statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs
a 12 month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England
small business grants of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
grant funding of up to £25,000 for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to support long-term viable businesses who may need additional finance
the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

This is a central Government package but we will administer the business rates and grant funding elements.

Business rate relief

We are working to identify businesses that will qualify for the additional business rate relief announced by Government. We will be contacting eligible businesses to notify you of the relief and revised business rate bills will be issued as fast as possible.

Applying for grants

The process for applying for the grants is still being worked up by the Government and we expect to have more information towards the end of March. We will publish eligibility criteria and details of how to apply as soon as we know more.

Community support and what you can do

Good hygiene is the best preventative measure. Make sure you, your friends, family and colleagues wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.

There are a number of Community Mutual Aid Groups being set up across the country. You can volunteer to set one up if there is not already one in your area.

The Department for Work and Pensions are regularly updating their website with information on how to claim benefits for people who have been affected by Coronavirus.

Gloucestershire Community Help Hub

This County-wide community help hub has been created by Gloucestershire’s councils and partners to connect local people who need help with others who can provide the support they need.

The hub includes four forms:

‘I can offer help’ for people who are able to support neighbours with tasks such as picking up prescriptions, shopping, dog walking
‘I need help’ which can be used by individuals to ask for support
‘My neighbour needs help’ which can be used by people to request help on behalf of a neighbour, relative or friend who cannot access the internet themselves
‘My business can help’ will allow local businesses who may have skills and resources others could benefit from, to offer their help

The information collected will be shared with us who will connect people who can help each other, or if appropriate refer individuals to an existing service.