February news

February news

From Thursday 27th January face coverings are no longer mandatory in any setting but it is recommended in enclosed or crowded places, particularly where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) can spread predominantly by droplets and perhaps aerosols (which can linger in the air) from coughs, sneezes and speaking. The best available scientific evidence is that, when used correctly, wearing a face covering can reduce the spread of coronavirus droplets and aerosols in certain circumstances, helping to protect others.

Because face coverings are mainly intended to protect others, not the wearer, from coronavirus (COVID-19) they are not a replacement for social distancing and regular hand washing.

Based on the advice from the Church of England and consulting the different congregations of which some are medics we have decided that for all the morning services and Messy Church face coverings are recommended at all times for those aged 12 upwards. At the Five service as the numbers who attend are small allows ample social distancing and the typical age of attendees is younger there will be a section for those who wish to not wear a face covering and a section for those who would like to keep on wearing one.

We will take the follow steps at each service until the local case rates fall a bit further:

8am BCP service @ St Paul’s – said service no singing, social distancing everywhere, face coverings everywhere

9.30am service @ St Saviour’s – singing, social distanced seating around perimeter of building, no social distancing in the rows in the middle section, face coverings everywhere

11.15am service @ St Paul’s – singing, social distanced seating in outer pews on the left and right of building, no social distancing in the pews in the middle section, face coverings everywhere

5pm service @ St Paul’s – singing, social distanced seating in outer pews on the left and right of building, no social distancing in the pews in the middle section, face covering required in outer pews only. People are free to not wear a face covering in the middle section of pews if they wish.

Messy Church 3pm @ St Saviour’s last Sunday of the Month – face coverings for everyone aged 12 upwards. Stay at same table rather than move from table to table.

For now we won’t serve refreshments in the morning services.

We are also risk assessing all other parish activities and each team leader will notify those who attend what mitigations we are taking.

We will review all of the above on a regular basis as COVID cases start to lower we hope to lift more restrictions.

Please do check out our February newsletter with what’s on in the Parish of Herne Hill.