Coronavirus

PLEASE TRAVEL SAFELY

We ask that all visitors and local residents follow these simple guidelines:

Support Local Businesses, Respect Local Needs, Stay Apart, Keep Connected

Support Local Businesses - Many local businesses either closed or had trade severely affected as a result of the lockdown. Some businesses are completely dependent on tourist custom and others rely on the additional spend by visitors to make their businesses viable. Some of the shops sell items unique to the Helmsdale and Strath of Kildonan area. While travelling and/or staying in the community please contribute to the local economy and enjoy what the area has to offer.

Respect Local Needs - The community will do all that it can to assist you, however when buying provisions please only get what you need and leave enough for others. During lockdown local residents have come to rely on the local shop and the shop assistants have worked tirelessly to keep the supply chain operational. The shop does not have huge storage areas and it is very easy for some stock to run out quite quickly. If the shop does not have exactly what you are looking for, please adapt and chose something else. When visiting the shop please follow the guidance, wear a face mask and keep social distancing, also only two customers at a time in the shop. The guidelines are there for all our benefit.

Stay Apart - Scottish guidance on social distancing is different to other parts of the UK. We are continuing to keep two metres apart from others and wearing face masks to go into any shop. You may not like the advice but we, as a community, are following it and it seems to be working. If the harbour is looking crowded, or the streets seem to have a lot of people, take yourself somewhere quieter and enjoy the peace and tranquility.

Keep Connected - The community is working hard to keep everyone informed of latest developments and up to date information. While you are visiting stay connected by following the community Facebook page ‘Helmsdale, Land of the Helmies’.

The Helmsdale Resilience Group is co-ordinating the distribution of resilience funding around this area.