Coronavirus

CORONAVIRUS        

13 March 2020

Current advice from Public Health England

Whilst in places of worship, there is no need to avoid other worshippers who are well or to change normal faith practices.  Public Health England recommends that you should take usual infection prevention precautions including:

  1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport.
  1. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  1. If you feel unwell, stay at home, do not attend work or school.
  1. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin. Download a poster from NHS England with guidance.
  1. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home and work environment.

   Other Advice 

Guidance for Churches as published by THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND      

  1. People with coughs and sneezes should refrain from handshaking. (Here at Forest Fold some may wish to adopt the ‘elbow bump’ greeting)
  1. Returning travellers

      Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people immediately if you’ve travelled to the UK from:

Hubei province in China in the last 14 days, even if you do not have symptoms

Iran, lockdown areas in northern Italy or special care zones in South Korea since 19 February, even if you do not have symptoms

other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild)

other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild)

 

Additional suggested actions/safeguards

Metal and plastic surfaces apparently support the virus for a period of time, so regular cleaning here is being implemented. 

Less significant are soft surfaces but again the virus can be active up to approximately 72hours.  We suggest therefore that you bring your own Bibles to church.