News

Coronavirus update

NEW RULES FROM 24TH SEPTEMBER

Despite fears that another severe lockdown would be imposed to help counter the rise in Covid-19 infections, the new measures announced on Tuesday evening did not result in major changes to the Rule of Six introduced on 14th September.

In England, you can still meet with people from other households socially in groups of no more than six. This will apply to people of all ages and to gatherings indoors and outdoors – including private homes – as well as public outdoor spaces Also unaffected are households or support bubbles with more than 6 people in them (a support bubble allows single adult households – i.e. adults who live alone or with dependent children only – to form an exclusive support bubble with one other household) so if your own household either on its own or together with anyone in your support bubble is bigger than 6 in number you can all still socialise – but not with anyone else!

However, the Prime Minister made it clear that the Government must reserve the right to go further if Covid cases continue to rise.The changes that will take effect from Thursday 24th September are largely as follows: –

  • Pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants are to close at 22:00 BST and will also be restricted to table service only.
  • Staff in hospitality venues must now wear masks, as must customers when not seated at their table to eat or drink. The penalty for not wearing one, or breaking the rule of six has doubled to £200 for a first offence.
  • Table bookings of more than six are not allowed (unless from the same household or support bubble) and groups cannot mingle.
  • Businesses are legally required to take customers contact details so they can be traced if there is an outbreak.
  • They can be fined up to £10,000 for breaking reservation rules, if they do not enforce social distancing, or do not take customers contact details.
  • Face masks will also be compulsory for shop workers and taxi drivers (and passengers)
  • Businesses, schools, universities and colleges can remain open
  • People should work from home wherever possible but should still go to work if their workplace is in a Covid secure environment and their job requires their presence
  • The limit on the number of guests attending a wedding has been reduced to 15 but up to 30 people can attend a funeral service
  • The exemptions to the Rule of Six as regards sports and physical exercise have been revised – organised outdoor sport or licensed outdoor physical activity, and supervised sporting activity (indoors or outdoors) for under-18s is permitted.
  • Organised indoor sport or exercise classes can take place in larger numbers, provided groups of more than 6 do not mix.
  • Organised indoor team sports for disabled people can take place in any number.
  • The plans to allow fans to return to sporting events have been put on hold for now

For greater detail as to what you can and cannot do in relation to such aspects as social contact, forming a support bubble, face coverings, weddings, funerals, car sharing, using public transport, visiting public places, going to pubs and restaurants and taking part in activities, details of the exceptions to the Rule of Six – and fines for breaking the rules – we strongly recommend that you have a look at the Government’s latest Q and A document which can be seen here:-

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do

SELF ISOLATION REGULATIONS FROM 28TH SEPTEMBER

Please note that from 28 September, you could be fined if you do not stay at home and self-isolate following a positive test result for COVID-19, or if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and instructed to self-isolate because you are a contact of someone who has had a positive test result.

From this date, if you test positive for Covid-19, it will also be an offence to knowingly provide false information about your close contacts to NHS Test and Trace. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a fine of up to £10,000.From 28 September, you may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if you are required to stay at home and self-isolate. Local authorities will be putting arrangements in place to make these payments, with further details to be made available shortly. You will be eligible if you live in England and meet all the following criteria:

  • you have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
  • you are employed or self-employed
  • you cannot work from home and will lose income as a result
  • you are claiming at least one of the following benefits: Universal Credit, Working Tax Credits, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit

For full details please see here: –

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/

TRAVEL CORRIDORS

For the latest list of countries, territories and regions from where you can travel to England and may not have to self-isolate please see here:- https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors?utm_source=00a44d6d-58a0-419a-8eb7-0a901f79aaeb&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Keep well, stay safe and do not hesitate to ask for help with shopping or prescriptions by contacting:
Fr. Peter Mallinson (Bury) 839057 or Ken & Diana Rowsell (West Burton) on 831475