Community centres and halls
Community buildings can be used for permitted, organised gatherings but should not host events for private hire or be used for social gatherings.
Permitted gatherings could include, but are not limited to:
- Work purposes or provision of voluntary or charitable services
- Providing emergency assistance
- Enabling one or more people in the gathering to avoid injury or illness, or to escape a risk of harm
- Providing care or assistance to a vulnerable person or a person who has a disability
When deciding whether to open you must consider:
- Can you meet your outcomes or deliver your service or activities online? This remains the safest way to operate services and classes.
- If you can’t deliver online – can you run some, or all of your activities, outside?
- Is it necessary that you meet face to face during this time?
If it is necessary to meet indoors:
- You need to complete a risk assessment specific to your activity and premises
- You must implement all reasonable measures to prevent the spread of the virus
- You must keep a record of attendance for Test and Trace
- Keep your risk assessment on site, with a named responsible person.
If you open, you must also consider:
- Take all the usual precautions like social distancing, hand washing or sanitising and wearing face coverings.
- It is not advisable to share equipment of any kind.
- You must not provide or sell communal refreshments – although people can bring their own.
- Cafe facilities must remain closed or offer take away (off site) only.
Please remember, reducing social contact with people from outside of our households and support bubbles is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.
Support groups
Some support groups can meet. Up to 15 participants are allowed. Under-5s do not count towards the 15 person limit.
- They must be formally organised groups
- They can provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support, where they have to take place in person
- They can’t meet in private houses
- They may meet in community centres, which can open as long as they are COVID-safe, have undertaken a risk assessment and keep a record for Test and Trace.
When deciding whether to run a face-to-face support group you must consider:
- Can you meet your outcomes or deliver your service or activities online? This remains the safest way to operate services and classes.
- If you can’t deliver online – can you run some, or all of your activities, outside?
- Is it necessary that you meet face to face during this time?
If you open, you must also consider:
- Take all the usual precautions like social distancing, hand washing or sanitising and wearing face coverings.
- It is not advisable to share equipment of any kind.
- You must not provide or sell communal refreshments – although people can bring their own.
- Cafe facilities must remain closed or offer take away (off site) only.
Please remember, reducing social contact with people from outside of our households and support bubbles is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.
Leafleting
Leafleting is permitted but when deciding whether to do it you must consider:
- Can you meet your outcomes online? This remains the safest way to operate
- Is it necessary that you meet face-to-face during this time?
If it is necessary to take part in leafleting:
- You need to complete a risk assessment specific to your activity
- You must implement all reasonable measures to prevent the spread of the virus
- Keep your risk assessment with you at all times.
Please remember, reducing social contact with people from outside of our households and support bubbles is key to protecting ourselves, our loved ones and the wider community.
Pingback: Additional Tier 3 Guidance for Community Centres, Support Groups & Leafleting. – Third Sector Leaders