ILMINSTER businesses received a trip from their local MP to talk about the impact of Covid-19 on the local community.

Yeovil MP Marcus Fysh visited the town last week and to discuss how local shop owners are coping with new measures to keep their customers safe.

He said: “It was great to see that despite Covid-19 precautions to keep people safe, many businesses are up and running well, and mostly feeling positive.

“It was useful to hear first-hand how things are working at places such as Cottage Flowers, The Meeting House, and Sweet Surprise and about the issues that are facing businesses, cafes and public spaces.”

One-way systems, hand sanitiser and limited numbers of customers are just some of the precautions Ilminster businesses have put in place in line with Government advice.

MP Fysh added: “Businesses and facilities have taken every precaution to keep people safe and it is crucial we all support them in our towns and villages by giving them our custom.

“Cases remain low here in South Somerset, but we must all continue to make efforts to keep it so.

“We can all play our part by downloading the new NHS Track & Trace app, which can dramatically help reduce transmission rates with timely alerts for people who have been near those who have just tested positive.”

The number of cases being discovered in South Somerset is still less than two per 100,000, and to keep it low the Ilminster MP is urging people to download the new NHS Covid-19 app, which has now launched across England and Wales following rigorous testing and successful trials.

He said: “Everyone who can should download this new app as soon as possible, to protect themselves and their loved ones.”