We are continuing to consider the health and well-being of everyone by following our Church Risk Assessment, which follows Health and Safety Guidance and was compiled in consultation with Salford Council Environmental Health.

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS - D0 NOT ATTEND CHURCH

IF YOU HAVE TESTED POSTIVE - DO NOT ATTEND CHURCH

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has published updated guidance to support the next stage of the COVID-19 pandemic.

UK Health Security Agency   Published1 April 2022

As set out in the government’s Living with COVID-19 plan, the focus of this new phase is on protecting those who are most at risk from the virus.

A new set of guidance from UKHSA provides important public health advice for people with symptoms of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19;                        people with a positive COVID-19 test and their contacts; and advice on safer behaviours for everyone.

UKHSA has also published a set of public health principles for businesses, organisations and employers to consider in managing the risk to their workforce from respiratory infections, such as COVID-19.

Dame Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of UKHSA, said:

"As we learn to live with COVID, we encourage people to keep following simple steps to help keep themselves and others safe.

The pandemic is not over and how the virus will develop over time remains uncertain. COVID still poses a real risk to many of us, particularly with high case rates and hospitalisations.                                                        That is why it is sensible to wear a mask in crowded, enclosed spaces, keep indoor spaces ventilated

and stay away from others

if you have any symptoms of a respiratory illness.

Vaccination remains the best way to protect us all from severe disease and hospitalisation. If you have not yet come forward for your primary or booster I would urge you to do so straight away – the NHS vaccine programme is there to help and the sooner you are vaccinated the

sooner you and your family and friends will be protected."

People with symptoms of a respiratory infection

UKHSA guidance sets out that people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and who have a high temperature or do not feel well,

should try to stay at home and avoid contact with others.

Those who are asked – or choose to test – and get a positive COVID-19 result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days following the day of their positive result.

There is some evidence that children have a shorter duration of illness compared to adults. Children and young people who are asymptomatic, choose to take a COVID-19 test and receive a positive test result are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day of the test.

There will be some symptomatic testing available for certain high-risk groups and settings, including for those who are at highest risk of becoming seriously unwell and who are eligible for COVID-19 monoclonal antibody and antiviral treatments.

The guidance states that it is particularly important that a person with symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, avoids close contact with people whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of serious illness.

If a person has tested positive for COVID-19 they should avoid those people who are at higher risk of serious illness for a 10-day period.

Anyone who needs to leave their home whilst they have symptoms of a respiratory infection such as COVID-19,  or within 5 days following the day of their positive test, should take important precautions to minimise the chance of passing on their infection.

Such precautions could include:

• wearing a well-fitting face covering or a face mask

• avoiding crowded or enclosed spaces such as public transport, large social gatherings and enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces

• exercising outdoors and away from others

• always remembering good hand and respiratory hygiene

Reducing the risks of spreading infection

Guidance also sets out actions for reducing the risks of spreading infection within the home, where someone has tested positive, or has symptoms of infection, and provides advice for those living in the home who will be close contacts. This is to help reduce the risk of them passing on infection.

For the wider population who don’t have symptoms of COVID-19, or other respiratory infection or a positive COVID-19 test, UKHSA advises some important and sensible public health behaviours that can help to reduce the spread of infections and protect those around them.

These include:

* getting vaccinated,

* ventilating indoor spaces,

* wearing a face covering or mask in certain situations

* keeping up good hand and respiratory hygiene,                 such as covering your nose and mouth when coughing     or sneezing.

Recent evidence on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron and wearing face coverings has previously been published by UKHSA.

Employers and venue managers continue to have a legal duty to manage risks to those affected by their business or organisation. The way to do this is to carry out a health and safety risk assessment and to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risks you identify. The working safely guidance sets out a range of mitigations employers and venue managers should consider including:

• cleaning surfaces that people touch regularly
• identifying poorly-ventilated areas in the venue and taking steps to improve air flow
• ensuring that staff and visitors who are unwell do not attend the workplace or venue
• communicating to staff and visitors the measures you have put in place

            "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

Minister ~ Rev Alan Kennedy 07733153203 01612703296 alanrk1690@gmail.com