Covid Safe Meetings
Guidance for Group Leaders
Having considered information provided by the Government, Third Age Trust, all the venues that we use, and discussions with Group Leaders at the recent Group Leaders Meeting, the committee has provided the following guidance for Group Leaders:
All our venues are fully open with all restrictions removed and back to original occupancy levels, but with an expectation that all groups will wipe tables, chairs and all equipment used with anti-viral products, before use and after use. Some venues may not be providing cleaning products so be prepared to provide them yourselves. You will be reimbursed by the Treasurer on receipt of an invoice.
Your committee is not minded to set a maximum number of members attending individual group meetings. It is up to each Group Leader to decide on occupancy numbers. If, as Group Leader, you think the venue is too small, we have larger venues but you may have to change times/dates to use them. Please discuss with Mike Neely, who looks after venue bookings, and remember to keep your webpage up-to-date.
The Government are emphasising that the pandemic is not over and there are still large numbers of cases; there is still the need for caution and restraint, and this is now the responsibility of all. As a u3a, we still advise that you wear masks in crowded areas, be aware of social distancing if needed, ensure plenty of ventilation, and use antiviral gel and wash hands regularly.
All Group Leaders are asked to risk assess their meetings, while each member should carry out their own personal risk assessment. There is not a legal requirement to check that all members have been vaccinated or tested, but it is up to each member to ensure that they have not got any Covid symptoms and are not self-isolating. As a u3a, we recommend that all our members have been part of the Government vaccination programme as this is reducing the link between infections and severe disease and death.
When carrying out risk assessments, consider the current Government and Public Health advice and the feasibility of carrying out your activity safely. Consider whether your activity involves the sharing of equipment or spaces and make sure you have antiviral products available.
Group Leaders are to maintain an attendance register with name and contact details of participants to share with NHS track and trace if required, and to pass on to the treasurer as normal.
Please inspect the area prior to starting activity to ensure adequate social distancing if required can be maintained throughout and to remove/isolate any hazards. Consider general hazards related to your activity, and the impact of accommodating Covid 19 requirements may have. Group Leaders should record outcome of these considerations in writing prior to the activity and share with participants so they can complete a personal checklist.
All participants should review their own personal health and circumstances referring to current Government guidance and the risk check list for the activity completed by the Group Leader.
It is the u3a Committee’s intention to make the opening of meetings as safe to our members as possible but we are also relying on all of you to take responsibility. The Committee are here to help you so please ask if you have any queries. Email to the Secretary, Les Mould in the first instance.
References
All our venues are fully open with all restrictions removed and back to original occupancy levels, but with an expectation that all groups will wipe tables, chairs and all equipment used with anti-viral products, before use and after use. Some venues may not be providing cleaning products so be prepared to provide them yourselves. You will be reimbursed by the Treasurer on receipt of an invoice.
Your committee is not minded to set a maximum number of members attending individual group meetings. It is up to each Group Leader to decide on occupancy numbers. If, as Group Leader, you think the venue is too small, we have larger venues but you may have to change times/dates to use them. Please discuss with Mike Neely, who looks after venue bookings, and remember to keep your webpage up-to-date.
The Government are emphasising that the pandemic is not over and there are still large numbers of cases; there is still the need for caution and restraint, and this is now the responsibility of all. As a u3a, we still advise that you wear masks in crowded areas, be aware of social distancing if needed, ensure plenty of ventilation, and use antiviral gel and wash hands regularly.
All Group Leaders are asked to risk assess their meetings, while each member should carry out their own personal risk assessment. There is not a legal requirement to check that all members have been vaccinated or tested, but it is up to each member to ensure that they have not got any Covid symptoms and are not self-isolating. As a u3a, we recommend that all our members have been part of the Government vaccination programme as this is reducing the link between infections and severe disease and death.
When carrying out risk assessments, consider the current Government and Public Health advice and the feasibility of carrying out your activity safely. Consider whether your activity involves the sharing of equipment or spaces and make sure you have antiviral products available.
Group Leaders are to maintain an attendance register with name and contact details of participants to share with NHS track and trace if required, and to pass on to the treasurer as normal.
Please inspect the area prior to starting activity to ensure adequate social distancing if required can be maintained throughout and to remove/isolate any hazards. Consider general hazards related to your activity, and the impact of accommodating Covid 19 requirements may have. Group Leaders should record outcome of these considerations in writing prior to the activity and share with participants so they can complete a personal checklist.
All participants should review their own personal health and circumstances referring to current Government guidance and the risk check list for the activity completed by the Group Leader.
It is the u3a Committee’s intention to make the opening of meetings as safe to our members as possible but we are also relying on all of you to take responsibility. The Committee are here to help you so please ask if you have any queries. Email to the Secretary, Les Mould in the first instance.
References
- National u3a guidance: https://www.u3a.org.uk/advice/running-your-u3a-covid-and-beyond/england-activities-advice
- Risk assessment checklist download from National u3a: https://www.u3a.org.uk/advice/risk-assessments/risk-assessments/u3a-kms-frm-014-general-u3a-activity-risk-assessment-checklist-in-covid-19
- Government Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-summer-2021-roadmap/covid-19-response-summer-2021