#supportDG

As we emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown we are now looking to restart our town centres, to revitalise our local economy, and to promote community confidence by attracting our citizens back to the hubs of our communities, encouraging everyone to shop local, but shop safe.

On 21 May 2020, Scottish Government published Scotland's route map out of the Coronavirus crisis which describes each phase of easing the lockdown.

The Scottish Government has introduced extra rates reliefs (discounts) to help owners of non-domestic properties deal with the impact of Coronavirus.

Grant support is now available to help business deal with the impact of COVID-19. The purpose of these grants is to help protect jobs, prevent business closure and promote economic recovery. These grants will close for application at 5pm on Friday 10 July 2020.

The Connecting Scotland Initiative aims to connect up to 9,000 more people on low incomes who are considered clinically at high risk so they can access services and support and connect with friends and family during the pandemic.

Every Tuesday and Friday we publish a community bulletin which provides an update on COVID-19 related matters.

Covid-19 is a difficult time for everyone and during this time the Council and its third sector partners are keen to ensure that people requesting emergency food parcels get the support they need.

To support our citizens during COVID-19, our Council is providing access to free sanitary products.

Dumfries & Galloway's local employment partnership website regularly updates local skills and employment news, information, and job opportunities during the Covid 19 crisis.

Across Dumfries and Galloway, public, private and third sector partners work in partnership to offer training, upskilling and support with CV's, job applications and interview preparation.

The Dumfries and Galloway Youth Guarantee aims to ensure that every young person in Dumfries and Galloway is offered training, education, a job or apprenticeship opportunity.

Support is available for parents and carers to help address challenges including health, money worries, motivation or childcare that may be making it difficult for you to get in to work or improve your circumstances and options if you are in work.

Information about the arrangements for reopening of our schools and early learning settings in August.

An initial FAQs has been prepared in response to enquiries received by the Skills, Education and Learning Directorate.

Information about the arrangements for the restart of Early Learning and Childcare.

Our Council is committed to ensuring that all of our children continue to be supported throughout all of our School Holidays. Our Summer Holidays will begin on Friday 3 July and will run until Tuesday 11 August 2020.

Please be aware that our main council office is currently not open to visitors but that we are able to take phone and email enquiries.

Changes to the way Care at Home Services are delivered will mean that the levels of support currently available will be severely restricted.

Housing Options and Homeless Service offices have closed to the public.