I’m sure many of you are anxious about the latest Government announcement regarding changes to the numbers of people who can safely meet together and its impact on activities taking place within village and community halls. Please be reassured ACRE is in touch with relevant government departments about revised Guidance applicable to Village Halls, but are not expecting clarity until the end of the week. The new rules come into effect on 14th September.
The aim is to restrict the number of people who meet together as a ‘social group’ and limit this to 6 in total but overall numbers can be greater in certain circumstances and venues (see below) – this is where clarification is required to ensure the ‘venues’ include community halls. This replaces the ‘two household’ limit which allowed up to 30 people meeting as a social group.
In the meantime, the Government guidance is available in the link below, and I’ve listed the exceptions where groups can be larger than 6 people:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Meeting with others safely (social distancing)
'There will be exceptions where groups can be larger than 6 people, including:
*where everyone lives together or is in the same support bubble, or to continue existing arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents
*for work, and voluntary or charitable services
*for education, training, or registered childcare (including wraparound care)
*fulfilling legal obligations such as attending court or jury service
*providing emergency assistance, or providing support to a vulnerable person
for you or someone else to avoid illness, injury or harm
*participate in children’s playgroups
*wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions, or for other religious life-cycle ceremonies - where up to 30 people will be able to attend
*funerals - where up to 30 people will be able to attend
*organised indoor and outdoor sports, physical activity and exercise classes (see the list of recreational team sports, outdoor sport and exercise allowed under the gyms and leisure centre guidance
*youth groups or activities
*elite sporting competition or training
*protests and political activities organised in compliance with COVID-19 secure guidance and subject to strict risk assessments
Venues following COVID-19 secure guidelines will be able to continue to host more people in total - such as religious services in places of worship - but no one should visit in a group of greater than 6'.
There is a useful link to FAQs:
Sue Gibson, RCCE Village Halls & Community Buildings Adviser
