Updated following the new guidance effective from Thursday 24 February 2022.
An update for village halls on the Government’s Covid restrictions:
There are no restrictions, however The Village Hall Management Committee maintains the general advice that:
Hirers are advised to follow the general guidance that “people are asked to make informed decisions and act carefully and proportionally to manage risk to themselves and others”.
On 22 February 2022, ACRE updated their advice as follows:
While there will no longer be a legal requirement for those who have tested positive to self-isolate for a week, those who have symptoms are still encouraged to obtain a PCR test.
For Village and Community Halls:
It is more important than ever that vulnerable people, those who feel more cautious and those have suffered as a result of isolation during the last two years feel confident using village and community halls, in order to improve mental health and wellbeing. This is particularly important for their usual, regular activities. Consequently we encourage halls to ask users to follow the principles below
Key principles:
- People should stay at home if unwell.
- Those who have recently had COVID-19 should not attend the hall until either a week has passed and they no longer have a temperature or they have two negative lateral flow tests on days 5 and 6. They should inform their close contacts and avoid contact with anyone in an at risk group. Contacts of people with COVID-19 are asked to take extra care, following general guidance on safer behaviours. Routine contact tracing ends on 24th February.
- Let fresh air in if meeting indoors. Opening a window for ten minutes helps. (This has also been shown to reduce risk of catching other airborne diseases such as flu).
- Continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet and when rates of transmission are high.
- Clean your hands often, avoid touching your face, nose or eyes. “Catch it, bin it, Kill it”.
- Maintain social distancing as far as possible from anyone you do not have regular contact with. Respect the fact that others may wish to take a more cautious approach.
- If a more crowded event is likely to take place, eg a wedding reception with dancing, hirers can be encouraged to ask everyone to take a lateral.
Lustleigh Village Hall Management Committee.
February 2022.