Re-opening Churches:
Your Questions Answered
Thank you to all those who attended our Reopening Churches Question and Answer Session which took place on Thursday 13 August. The panel consisted of Revd Michaela Youngson (Chair of District), Becky Skinner (District Safeguarding Officer), Sandy Youngson (Public Health Specialist at Brent Council and lead at our Infection Control in Faith Settings Briefings) and Kathleen Henriques-Brown (District Property Development Officer).
Below are a list of questions that were asked on the day and their corresponding answers. Please note that the information provided is correct as of Thursday 13 August. Guidance is changing frequently, and so we strongly advise that the information below is considered in conjunction with guidance issued by both the Government, and the Methodist Church (connexion). A list of links referred to in this session, along with links that may be of use, can be found below. These links are numbered. If a particular piece of guidance / link is referred to in an answer by the panel, it can be identified by the corresponding number.
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A downloadable (.pdf) copy of the questions and answers can be accessed via the link below.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further queries.
Useful links:
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Methodist Church Guidance on face coverings: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/18300/guide-for-face-coverings-7820.pdf
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Government Guidance on the safe use of place of worship (includes guidance on face masks, over 70s attending church, protective security etc): https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-places-of-worship-during-the-pandemic-from-4-july
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Government guidance on how to use, make and wear face masks, where they must be worn, exemptions: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own#when-you-do-not-need-to-wear-a-face-covering
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Government guidance on how to make different environments Covid-secure: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
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Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Body warning on the use of temperature screening products: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dont-rely-on-temperature-screening-products-for-detection-of-coronavirus-covid-19-says-mhra
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Exemption from wearing face coverings badge:
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For mobile phones: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/903452/Exemption_from_face_covering_badge_for_mobile_phone.pdf
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Printable badges: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/903453/Exemption_from_face_covering_badge_to_print.pdf
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Printable cards: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/903454/Exemption_from_face_covering_card_to_print.pdf
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Government guidance on cleaning in non-healthcare settings: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings/covid-19-decontamination-in-non-healthcare-settings
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Government guidance on the use of multi-purpose community facilities (e.g. church halls) Includes information on cleaning, vulnerable people, multiple entry points and permitted activities: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities
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Statistical information on disparities in the risks and outcomes of Covid-19: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-review-of-disparities-in-risks-and-outcomes (The core data where this is found is released every Thursday which includes charts and graphs and can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-covid-19-surveillance-reports)
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Methodist Church guidance on the use of cafes within church buildings: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/18299/guide-for-cafes-in-your-church-building-10820.pdf
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Health and Safety Executive Guidance for air conditioning: https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/equipment-and-machinery/air-conditioning-and-ventilation.htm
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Government guidance for the disposal of face masks and PPE: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-disposing-of-waste
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Methodist Church Guidance for use of places of worship: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/18434/guide-to-using-your-worship-space-18820.pdf
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Methodist Church Guidance for the cleaning of churches (inc use of hand dryers): https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/18435/cleaning-churches-during-covid-19-18820.pdf
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Methodist Church Guidance for weddings: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/18432/guide-for-weddings-18820.pdf
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Methodist Church Guidance for funerals: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/18433/guide-for-funerals-final-18820.pdf
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Government guidelines on what you can and can’t do: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
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Methodist Church Guidance for Holy Communion: https://www.methodist.org.uk/media/18298/guide-for-holy-communion-10820.pdf