Walsall for All – COVID-19 Newsletter for the Community and Voluntary Sector

This newsletter has been prepared in partnership with Walsall Council’s Public Health and Environmental Health teams and distributed via Walsall for All.

Introduction The COVID-19 guidance for multipurpose community facilities was updated 24 September 2020. We recognise that the detailed government guidance can be difficult to apply to unique situations, events or places.  We are hoping that the first newsletter from Walsall Council public health and environmental health teams will help to summarise the wide range of advice and guidance to help support our community and voluntary sector in its response to coronavirus. We would also like to offer you the opportunity to join us virtually on Tuesday 6 October at 11am to meet both of the teams. They will be offering short presentations on what to do if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in your venue, how to make sure your venue is COVID-Secure and there will also be an opportunity to ask questions. The meeting will be taking place using Microsoft Teams and you can join this call in one of three ways: Online (on a PC or mobile device) via your internet browser. It is recommended that you use Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome for this rather than Internet Explorer. On your PC via the computer app. If you are doing this, please download the app before the live event. On your tablet / mobile device via the Microsoft Teams app. You will then need to open the link in whichever device you have chosen; it will then prompt you to open or download the Teams app Find out more information and to book your free place on Eventbrite Please note that this guidance is subject to change following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 30/09/2020.

People with COVID-19 (coronavirus) symptoms should not come into your venue

If anyone is unwell or has any of the main symptoms of coronavirus – a new continuous cough, a high temperature or loss or change to sense of smell or taste – then you should not let them into your venue. It is important that they stay at home (self-isolate) and get a test immediately. Anyone they live with should also stay at home. It is important that they do not invite anyone else into their home. Read more on staying at home if you or someone you live with has symptoms. Get a free NHS test today to check if you have coronavirus If you have been told someone has tested positive then it is important you contact Walsall Council health protection hub as soon as possible.  Members of the Public Health team will work with you to assess the risks and advise you of any actions you need to take. In doing so it can help prevent minimise any possible wider outbreaks in your community.   Find out more about the health protection hub

Multi-Purpose Community Venues, are you COVID Secure?

The general COVID-19 guidance for multipurpose community facilities was updated 24 September 2020. Walsall Council Environmental Health team would like to remind community and voluntary organisations of some key points included in the updated guidance Opening is discretionary – if you are unable to make your venue COVID-Secure then you shouldn’t be open. You must complete a COVID risk assessment and ensure there are measures in place to keep the transmission of the virus as low as possible. This will be based on capacity and the ability to social distance. This should be reviewed on a routine basis. We appreciate that many community facilities in Walsall are also workplaces and those responsible for the premises should therefore be aware of their responsibilities as employers. The government is clear that no one is obliged to work in an unsafe workplace. Anyone who is hiring the community facility have the responsibility for managing their own risks arising from their own activities e.g. clubs, counselling when they have control of premises and should take account of any guidance relevant to their specific activity or sector. Find out more on working safely during coronavirus If you require any guidance or support on how to make your venue COVID-Secure then please contact Walsall Council Environmental Health team Environmentalhealth@walsall.gov.uk on call 01922 653366.

NHS COVID-19 app and QR check-in at venues

There is a higher risk of transmitting COVID-19 in premises where customers and visitors spend a longer time in one place and potentially come into close contact with other people outside of their household. On Thursday 24 September the NHS Test and Trace app was launched. One of the features is called Check-In. This allows users to check in to participating venues using a QR code. We would like to encourage all community and voluntary sector organisations in Walsall to participate by; Creating a QR code for your venue by going to https://www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster Print your poster and a guide of how to use it: https://covid19.nhs.uk/information-for-businesses.html Display prominently – including at every entrance to your building and encourage visitors to your venue to check-in using the NHS COVID-19 app If your users do not use a smartphone then it is still important to keep a log of attendees at each service or session and to retain that log securely for at least 21 days. If an outbreak occurs, this information may be critical to help save lives and support the Test and Trace team to identify close contacts. To receive this information in other languages or alternative formats, please visit https://covid19.nhs.uk/accessibility The data that you collect is personal data is and must be handled in accordance with GDPR to protect the privacy of your staff, customers and visitors. Find out more on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and how records should be maintained.

Face Coverings

It is now compulsory (24 September) for retail, leisure and hospitality staff to wear a face covering in areas that are open to the public and where they come or are likely to come within close contact of a member of the public.  Anyone who is entering a community venue must wear a face covering (unless exempt), and will be required to keep it on, unless covered under a ‘reasonable excuse’. This could include; An exercise class If users need to eat or drink something If they have a health or disability reason to not wear one Children under the age of 11 years are exempt and children aged 3 and under should never wear a mask. Face coverings do not replace social distancing. Even if a face covering is used, staff and users of the space should continue to wash hands regularly and maintain social distancing. For more information see guidance on wearing face coverings.

Rule of 6 / Large Gatherings

It is now against the law for people to gather in a group of more than six, whether indoors or outdoors, unless covered by an exemption. This limit does not apply to meetings of a single household group or support bubble which is more than 6 people. Community facilities following COVID-19 Secure guidance can host more than 6 people in total, but no one should visit or socialise in a group of greater than 6. There should be no interaction or mixing between groups so do not hold activities where mixing is more likely to occur or it is difficult to enforce this. It is important that people from different households must socially distance. (2m or 1m plus mitigation) Further information on social contact rules, social distancing and the exemptions that exist can be found on the guidance on meeting with others safely. These rules do not apply to workplaces or education settings, alongside other exemptions. See more details on what has changed.

Permitted Activities There are a wide range of local activities and services taking place across our community and voluntary sector in Walsall. Different activities are subject to specific reviews and guidance by the government so it is important that you review on www.gov.uk the specific requirements for these. If the activity is not listed in the guidance then this means you are not allowed to do continue or start the service, likewise. if you cannot safely accommodate a permitted activity then it must not go ahead. We have identified the following as some of the main activities that are currently taking place and have the following guidance; There cannot be any indoor team sports due to the ‘rule of 6’ Indoor fitness and dance classes etc. can go ahead or continue but there must be social distancing measures in place and any shared equipment must be able to be cleaned and disinfected after use. Ideally, it is better for users to bring their own equipment. Singing is not advisable and is also not allowed in groups of more than 6. Karaoke is also strongly discouraged as the microphone cannot be disinfected after each person. Wedding receptions must only take place in the form of a sit-down meal up to a maximum of 15 guests and social distancing measures must be in place. This maximum number includes all those at the ceremony, including the couple, witnesses, and guests. Anyone working is not included as part of the limit on attendees. Find out more on permitted activities in multi-use community facilities: signposting to relevant guidance

Walsall COVID-19 Data     We are now seeing an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases across Walsall. You can now keep up to date with the latest COVID-19 data for Walsall borough, with the publication of a weekly dashboard.   Walsall Council is publishing the information on its website, bringing together data already in the public domain into one place locally. The information relates to Walsall, neighbouring local authorities and the West Midlands region and includes figures on the number of cases, number of deaths and any outbreaks.   It can be found at: https://go.walsall.gov.uk/covid-19_information/covid-19_-_i_want_to_know/outbreak_management_plan

If you need help and support Walsall Public Health – Health Protection Advice Line The council has a dedicated support line to assist community and voluntary organisations during the pandemic. You can contact the public health team with any concerns relating to COVID-19, such as asking for advice or if your staff or volunteers are present with symptoms. 

Health Protection Advice Line: 
01922 65 8065 or email walsall.healthprotection@nhs.net  Walsall Environmental Health Environmentalhealth@walsall.gov.uk / 01922 653366

Translated Materials 

Walsall For All has now updated its website to include translated guidance and accessible formats of information related to Coronavirus (COVID-19).    You will find links and resources to:   Test and Trace   Face coverings   GOV.UK guidance (Domestic Abuse, households with possible coronavirus infection, shielding and bereavement)   Symptoms   Stay Alert   Accessing local health services   Other translated guidance on COVID-19   Please see the Walsall For All Website    If you require any hard copies for your venue, then please contact walsallforall@walsall.gov.uk

It is critical that everybody observes the following key behaviours: HANDS – Wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds. FACE – Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. SPACE – Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place. Please note that this information is subject to change so it is important to stay alert to new guidance.

Links to Key Guidance COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace Get a free NHS test to check if you have coronavirus NHS COVID-19 App Advice about avoiding close contact with other people (social distancing), looking after your wellbeing and using the NHS and other services during coronavirus.

Daniel Barker

Walsall for All – COVID-19 Newsletter for the Community and Voluntary Sector

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