Freedom Day July 2021

It's been branded "Freedom Day" by the press and Boris Johnson, who confirmed that from Monday 19th July 2021, the lifting of most COVID legal restrictions would take place. However, Deverell Hall want to assure hirers that we are taking a measured response to this recent announcement, and whilst legally things may have changed, we should all remain vigilant.

It's not a free for all just because of the recent announcements.

How many people can attend a meeting and/or function?

Capacity limits for indoor venues are no longer in place after 19th July. However, to safeguard regular and casual hirers, we have put in place our own capacity restrictions. For most of the regular hirers, this should not present a problem:

Our own restrictions include limiting numbers for those attending the hall. Therefore the MAXIMUM PERMITTED NUMBERS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

MAIN HALL GROUND FLOOR: Maximum user capacity: 120 persons.
Covid-19 SECURE Policy in place - Main Hall Maximum 60 persons at any one event.

UPSTAIRS CONFERENCE MEETING ROOM: Maximum user capacity: 30 persons.
Covid-19 SECURE Policy in place - Upstairs Conference Room Maximum 15 persons at any one event.

We will review this in and or around September.

Do I have to wear a face mask still?

Wearing face masks will become a matter of "personal choice" with the end of restrictions in England on 19 July, Prime Minister Boris Johnson says. Because wearing of face masks is no longer a legal requirement, we thought it would be useful to outline evidence and facts so individuals can make an informed decision.

It will be up to individuals if they wish to wear a face mask/covering or not. We encourage people to consider others, but we are not imposing the wearing of face coverings on hall users, groups or hirers.

Do face masks help or make you and others safer? The evidence: It has been confirmed that the virus that causes COVID-19 is primarily transmitted in the air. People with the virus, sometimes unaware that they have it, spread it through respiratory droplets that are exhaled when they cough, sneeze, sing, talk or breathe - and these droplets are then inhaled by somebody else. Reasonably you would need to be in close contact with someone for 15 minutes or more to perhaps catch this virus.

According to a number of laboratory tests and multiple studies, the main value from wearing face masks is that they block up to 80% of these droplets from escaping into the air. They may also prevent about 50% of droplets from being inhaled too.

We would personally encourage people to consider wearing face masks, but no-one should be made to feel bad if they wear a face mask, or DO NOT wear one. Yes we understand it's not nice wearing face coverings, but if it means that we can safeguard others as well as ourselves, then it might make sense to do this for now.

Exceptions to this guidance would be keep fit groups, table tennis or activities which involved physical exercise routines.

Do I have to check-in using the NHS App?

From Monday 19 July 2021, designated venues are no longer legally required to ask customers, visitors and staff to "check in" using the NHS App.

Deverell Hall will still display the NHS QR Code Posters, and based on Government Guidance, we suggest that visitors still use the app to check-in when coming into the hall.

By asking individuals to check in and promptly sharing the records of those who provide their contact details with NHS Test and Trace, you will help us to identify people who may have the virus. NHS Test and Trace will only ask for your records if there is an outbreak at our venue, and then alert attendees who checked in on the same day.

What about cleaning/sanitising?

It should be common sense that dictates how and what we do. So when it comes to washing hands, cleaning or sanitising items we touch:

You shouldn't need to be told to wash your hands - this should be something we all do everyday! Hand sanitisers and cleaning stations remain in place, so use them.

Should we still ventilate the building?

At this current time of writing we are experiencing much warmer weather, so yes it makes sense to open some of the doors and let fresh air flow through the building. Just remember to hook the doors back safely, and then close them securely before you leave the premises.

What types of activities are still restricted?

There are no restrictions for regular hirers - the suggestions on how you use the hall are shown above.

On a case by case basis we are looking at casual hirers, and deciding which types of hire we are currently allowing. ALL REGULAR HIRERS have either returned, or WILL RETURN so our usual hirers are coming back.

We keep receiving requests for "regular hire" from people who have never used our hall and maybe they are assuming the hall is empty, or has spare slots available on weekdays. This is not the case at all - and the diary online is slowly being re-populated with the bookings that are now restarting.

Making sure we are all safe

Every weekday morning the hall is cleaned and sanitised. Our regular extensive cleaning programme, also concentrates too on contact surfaces such as door handles, window ledges, tables, chairs and tap handles. Toilets are thorougly cleaned as usual. If you are a casual hirer, say for example a party booking using a Saturday or Sunday, then prior to your booking the hall will be cleaned and checked. But then this is where we need to rely on you the hirer - whether you are a regular hirer of the hall, or a casual one off party booking. We ALL NEED TO PLAY OUR PART in keeping the building covid secure. Here are the key points below to help you:

Face masks are not mandatory, BUT it is up to you to make that decision in all indoor public settings;
Use the hand sanitisers provided when you come into the building;
Keep safe distancing between people;
What you touch you clean! So if you use chairs, tables then use wipes provided, or bring your own;
Supervise your activities correctly and with due diligence;
Appoint responsible people to keep an eye on what is happening;
When you're finished your hire, then tidy up, clean up and don't think "it's someone else's job" to do it.

If we work as a team then it makes life less complicated and so much easier, and safer! REGULAR HIRERS are reminded of the same requirements.

Questions?

If you still need help, or we may not have made things clear on this page, then let us know. We can add it later! Send us an email, and we can hopefully answer your question(s).

UK Government Official Page

Our current restrictions are as follows:

MAIN HALL Maximum 120 persons at any one event.
UPSTAIRS CONFERENCE ROOM Maximum 30 persons at any one event.

Yes groups can still use the kitchen and toilet facilities as normal. Each area has hand sanitisers, hand soaps, paper towels. We ask that groups do their best to maintain control of how many people are in one area at any given time.

Although there is no legal requirement to wear them any more, there is still substantial evidence that face masks help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It is entirely a personal choice.

No - routine contact tracing has ended. This means you'll no longer be informed if you've been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.