To help our members access the most up-to-date information and guidance, we have now moved to dated updates.
This will hopefully make our coronavirus updates easier and quicker to read. We will update this page as and when new information arises and/or we develop new guidance.
You can continue to find our previous coronavirus webpage here.
For the most up-to-date Government advice, please visit:
www.gov.uk.
Thursday 28 May 2020
The Government has today launched the NHS Test and Trace service across England. The hope is that this service will help identify, contain and reduce the spread of Covid-19. Under the new scheme:
- Anyone showing symptoms of the virus will be
tested
- If their test is positive, they will be contacted
by NHS Test and Trace (most likely by text or email) and asked to provide
details about their recent interactions, including household members, people
with whom they’ve been in direct contact, or within 2 metres for more than 15
minutes
- People identified as having been in close
contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days,
even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus
The NHS Test
and Trace service will give clear information explaining what the identified
person must do and how they can access local support services if needed. The
Department for Work and Pensions has also announced that those having to
self-isolate who cannot work from home will be eligible for statutory sick pay.
More information can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-nhs-test-and-trace-service.
Similar
schemes are being implemented in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
How will this affect almshouses?
This could
affect staff and residents.
If a
resident is asked to self-isolate because they’ve had contact with someone who
has tested positive for Covid-19, they may need help with things like shopping.
You should contact all residents and ask them to get in touch with you if they
are asked to self-isolate and determine any support they might need. Other
residents won’t be required to self-isolate. If the resident starts to show
symptoms of coronavirus, they will need to be tested and provide the relevant
details to the NHS Track and Trace service.
If a member of staff becomes unwell or is asked to self-isolate and is unable to work from home, you will need to ensure adequate cover for their role, particularly if they have been providing support to residents during the lockdown (e.g. getting shopping on their behalf). We would recommend developing contingency plans for such circumstances.
Thursday 21 May 2020
Applications
for funding under the Government’s Coronavirus
Community Support Fund will open on Friday 22 May at 10:00. The ÂŁ200m fund
is intended to support community support to vulnerable people and to prevent
the closure of essential charities and social enterprises. The allocation of
funding is being managed by the National
Lottery Community Fund. Details on how to apply for funding can be found
at:
www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/news/press-releases/2020-05-20/statement-about-the-coronavirus-community-support-fund
MP and
former leader of the Liberal Democrats, Tim Farron, has secured confirmation
from Cumbria County Council that they will raise the concerns of almshouses in
the region around PPE with Cumbria CVS. Almshouse charities in Cumbria who are
looking for PPE can contact the Cumbria Local Resilience Forum PPE Emergency Contact Centre on 0800 783 1967 if they need help accessing PPE.
In addition to a continuous cough and high temperature, the government has added a new symptom of coronavirus to look out for – the loss or change of sense of smell or taste. If you or any of your residents experience this symptom, you should contact NHS 111 in the first instance.
Monday 18 May 2020
The
government has today announced that anyone over the age of 5 who is displaying
coronavirus symptoms can get tested. Details on how to request a test can be
found at
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-for-coronavirus/ask-for-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus
A letter from the Minister of Housing has been send to all
social housing residents in England, setting out the measures that are in place
to support them during the next phase towards reopening society. Although this letter is for those who live in homes provided by
Registered Social Landlords, the advice should be seen as good practice for all
forms of social housing. A copy of the
letter can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-letter-to-social-housing-residents
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is kindness. If you or your charity would like to get involved, you can find more information at:
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week
Wednesday 13 May 2020
The Charity Commission has updated it guidance around the increased risk to charities of fraud and cybercrime during the Covid-19 outbreak. This includes a pre-recorded webinar, which can be accessed at any time.
www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-increased-risk-of-fraud-and-cybercrime-against-charities
The Government has amended the Coronavirus Act 2020 to allow people to move home. It has published specific guidance for the clinically vulnerable (e.g. those over the age of 70, those with chronic health conditions and those who have been asked to shield) and registered social landlords. The new guidance can be found at:
www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
The government has also issued guidance for people working in, visiting or delivering to other people’s homes. The guidance is likely to be relevant to any contractors and/or tradespersons who may be working at your almshouses. It includes advice on PPE, social distancing and cleaning their work areas.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/homes
Monday 11 May 2020
Following the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday evening, the government has today published more details on its plans to ease the current lockdown. The details can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy.
The government has also published some FAQs on what this means in practice for the public. You may wish to distribute these to your residents.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
click here for April updates
Posted 11 May 2020, last updated 28 May 2020