Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector

The government has updated its Covid-19 guidance for trustees. This includes advice for trustees on holding meetings remotely or postponing or cancelling meetings to reflect the lifting of restrictions in England and Wales.

As restrictions lift, some members may choose to revert to physical meetings. However, Coronavirus is still impacting on events and so it is still reasonable to make adjustments to suit your needs. Further guidance can be found here.

Wales

Coronavirus Restrictions Lifted

Most of the remaining Coronavirus restriction in place will be lifted from August 7^th. This includes rules on the number of people who can meet indoors as well as social distancing will end.

Wearing a face mask in shops, health and social care settings and on public transport will still be required.

13-08-2021

The Government has confirmed that the country will be proceeding to the final stage of the restriction easing on July 19^th 2021.

On 19 July, most legal restrictions will end, removing social distancing and social contact restrictions and enabling remaining businesses to reopen. With cases continuing to rise, however, it is vital that we remain cautious and take necessary precautions to ensure we can limit the spread of the virus. Those who have previously shielded or have been classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable should consider what additional precautions should be taken, even if you have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

Members may now wish to consider how to best manage communal areas if these have remained closed. It is also still recommended that you continue to wear a face mask is crowded areas such as public transport.

Government guidance still encourages us to:

1. think Hands, Face, Space and Fresh Air 
2. take part in free, regular, rapid COVID-19 testing
3. come forward for vaccination when it is offered.

The Almshouse Association would ask members to assess their own circumstances and consider the most appropriate measures on a case-by-case basis.

Wales

The Welsh Government has announced that most coronavirus rules will end on August 7^th as the country moves to alert level 0.

From July 17^th:

• Up to six people can meet indoors in private homes and holiday accommodation.
• Organised indoor events can take place for up to 1,000 seat and up t 200 standing.
• Ice rinks can reopen.

From August 7^th:

• Nightclubs will be able to reopen.
• Face masks will still be required in most indoor places, expect for pubs, restaurants and schools.
• Social distancing rules will be removed with venues carrying our individual risk assessments.
• People who are fully vaccinated will not need to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

Posted 19 July 21

Thankfully, the nation’s unlocking from lockdown restrictions has continued, although with a slight delay.

However, there are still requirements in place which members should seek to keep aware of during the final stages of lockdown easing.

For the time being, we remain in Stage 3 of the national easing roadmap, with the next stage not expected until July 19^th, however, the Government has suggested that should progress be made in tackling the Delta variant, this could be brought forward to July 5^th.

Further information on what you can and can’t do in Stage 3 can be found here.

Members may find it useful to consult the government guidance for supported living which can be found here. Particular notice should be taken to the section on risk assessments.

Wales update

In Wales, the Government has extended the six-month notice period for evictions to 30^th September.

Guidance on current Welsh restrictions can be found here.

Posted 22 May 21

The Government has announced that from 17 May 2021, England will move to step 3 of its roadmap out of lockdown.

This will mean a further relaxation of the Covid-19 restrictions that have been in place up until now.

The main changes likely to affect almshouses are:

• Up to 6 people or two households will now be able to meet indoors. Where people meet indoors, they should be encouraged to open a window. Meeting outside where possible is still a safer option
• Up to 30 people will be able to meet outdoors
• Hotels, B&Bs and hostels will now be able to open. Charities with guest rooms will now be able to open these should they wish. This is not obligatory however, and you should carry out a risk assessment first
• Indoor hospitality, such as bars and restaurants, can reopen
• Other indoor leisure and entertainment facilities will be allowed to open
• Travel within Britain and overnight stays will be allowed

The government has also advised that people will be able to make their own personal decision about close contact with friends and family. This means that your residents would be allowed to hug and sit next to a member of their family or friends should they wish to do so. Residents and their guests should be reminded about the risks associated with close contact however. Social distancing rules should be followed in all other contexts.

The rules around international travel will also be relaxed from 17 May. The government has announced a list of green countries which do not require the traveller to quarantine upon their return to England. They will instead be required to have a Covid test prior to returning home and another test upon their arrival home. Those arriving from ‘amber’ countries will be required to quarantine at home for 10 days and take two Covid tests. Those arriving from red list countries will be required to quarantine at a hotel for 10 days at their own expense. A list of green, amber and red countries and the rules for quarantining can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england.  Any residents or staff who travel overseas in the coming months should be reminded of these restrictions.

For larger charities with care facilities, the restrictions on care staff working at one location only remain in place and there isn’t a timescale yet for when these restrictions will be eased.

Wales update

Wales remains at alert level three. From 3 May, the following is allowed:

• Gyms, leisure centres, swimming pools and fitness facilities can open.
• Extended households can be formed with one other household.
• Indoor supervised activities for children can take place.
• Indoor organised activities for up to 15 adults can take place.
• Community centres can open.

Detailed guidance on restrictions in Wales can be found at https://gov.wales/alert-level-3.

Posted 12 May 21

Members will be aware that shielding is now no longer necessary as of April 1^st.

From April 9^th, twice weekly rapid tests will be available for everyone to test at home. Regular testing, alongside the vaccine rollout are seen as integral to returning life to normal. By using these free test twice a week you can help to flag any potential outbreaks of coronavirus. The tests can be ordered online or collected from larger local pharmacies. You may wish to encourage your residents and staff to use these tests and let them know what they need to do if they test positive.

April 12^th marks the next stage of the Government’s roadmap from lockdown. Members should be aware that as of April 12^th:

• Non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons; and public buildings, including libraries and community centres will re-open.
• Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms will also reopen (but only for use by people on their own or in household groups);
• As will most outdoor attractions and settings including outdoor hospitality venues, zoos, theme parks, and drive-in cinemas.
• Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen. This may mean you can re-open your guest facilities but we would recommend undertaking a risk assessment first. You are, however, under no obligation to re-open if you do not feel it would be safe for your residents. 
• Hospitality venues will be allowed to serve people outdoors and there will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcoholic drinks and no curfew, although customers must order, eat and drink while seated (‘table service’). Wider social contact rules will apply in all these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households.
• While funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners, the number of people able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15.

Posted 8 April 21

The Government is currently expanding the provision of asymptomatic testing to help identify and isolate positive cases of Covid-19 among those who need to leave home to go to work.

There are currently two routes to testing available:

Workplace Testing

Workplace testing is provided by employers (with more than 50 employees) to their staff in both the private and public sectors. This is unlikely to be an option for the vast majority of almshouse charities given their size. If , however, you do employ 50 or more staff and would be interested in offering workplace testing, you can register your interest at:
www.gov.uk/get-workplace-coronavirus-tests.

You will then be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and invited to a webinar to find out more information and decide whether to take part. Testing would be delivered by sites at the workplace.

Community Testing

Local authorities are delivering community testing via asymptomatic testing sites for those who need to leave their homes to go to work but are not offered testing by their employer. This is likely to include almshouse charities, particularly those that employ resident wardens who continue to work on site. If you charity wishes to use community testing, you should direct your employees to the DHSC postcode checker available at:
www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site.

Further Information

If you are a small charity with fewer than 50 employees and would like to know how to access testing for asymptomatic cases in your community, please contact CommunityTesting.CentralOps@dhsc.gov.uk.

If your charity has more than 50 employees and you have questions relating to workplace testing, please email p-and-psector@dhsc.gov.uk.

For more general queries about how these options for testing might work your charity, please contact MHCLGTestingEnquiries@communities.gov.uk.

Posted 8 March 21