NCVO guidance for charities following the lifting of restrictions

Organisation
Reading Voluntary Action (RVA)
Author
Herjeet Randhawa
Author's position
RVA Advice Service Manager
Article date
20 July 2021
Primary interest
Voluntary sector

Following on from this article,  a number of charities have been in touch with the RVA Advice Service looking for suggestions on how to navigate the lifting of lockdown in terms of keeping everyone safe.

NCVO are in the process of updating their Coronavirus guidance for charities, but in the meantime, they have kindly shared the following suggestions, which help to answer some more immediate questions groups have around face masks and testing.

Shared by NCVO on 19.07.21

We are working on updating our online coronavirus guidance on NCVO Knowhow in response to the government’s guidance on lifting restrictions. Whilst we are doing this, here is a summary of key government guidance:

  • People do not need to stay 2 metres apart from people they do not live with. There are no limits on the number of people that can meet in groups. Covid-19 has not gone away and there is guidance on the actions people can take to keep themselves and others safe.
  • The requirement to wear face coverings in law has been lifted however it is recommended and expected that people wear face coverings in crowded areas.
  • The government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can.
  • To help stop the spread of covid-19 in workplaces, it is recommended that:
    • where possible steps are taken to increase the amount of ventilation
    • there continues to be an increased cleaning regime
    • people are encouraged to wash their hands regularly and hand sanitisers are provided where possible.
  • Any staff or volunteers with covid-19 symptoms must self-isolate. You should not allow someone you know is self-isolating, to come to work.
  • Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised, as a minimum, to follow the same guidance as everyone else. You can read further guidance on protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable.
  • The government encourages organisations in higher risk settings to use the NHS Covid Pass as a condition of entry, in order to reduce the risk of covid-19. This will especially be the case in large crowded settings where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household.

Remember change can be gradual.

Further support:

If you would like to discuss how the above might apply in your charity context, get in touch with Herjeet at Herjeet.randhawa@rva.org.uk for support.