Shine news
18th May 2021
If you have been affected by the current situation and are in need of Shine's services, click on the link below to find out how we can support you at this difficult time.
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Regular updates on Covid-19 (Coronavirus) can be found below.
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Precautions to prevent spreading & catching coronavirus
Further easing of COVID restrictions is taking place, but cases of a variant that seems to be more transmissible are on the rise, so we recommend caution when considering the new options for socialising, leisure, and travel. Here we will outline new guidelines and make some additional recommendations. Our advice is based purely on protecting the health of our members, whereas the government are also considering wider economic impacts, for this reason some of our suggestions go further than official recommendations.
To read the detailed restrictions in your area you should check the government websites for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
It is important to keep taking precautions to reduce the chance of spreading and catching coronavirus:
Close contact continues to carry a risk of catching and/or spreading coronavirus. It’s important to remember that people with coronavirus are infectious even before showing symptoms, and no vaccine works perfectly. When making decisions about meeting up, carefully consider the possible risk to yourself and to others, and wherever possible minimise contact and risk.
England
From the 17th of May groups of up to 6 people, or 2 households of any size, will be able to meet indoors (including overnight stays) and up to 30 people can meet outdoors. Guidance on meeting family and friends will be updated to allow individuals to make their own decisions about personal contact, e.g. hugging friends and family.
Wales
Two households can meet indoors and have physical contact - but each household can only meet one other. Single-person households could already join one other household in a "support bubble".
Northern Ireland
Households are not yet permitted to mix in private homes. Up to 15 people (including children) from a maximum of three households can meet up in a private garden, where social distancing should be maintained. The garden can accessed be via a private home if there is no alternative route available.
England & Wales
Indoor hospitality can reopen from the 17th of May and indoor entertainment can resume, e.g. pubs, restaurants, cinemas, museums, and play areas. All remaining outdoor entertainment can reopen and some larger events will be able to take place, e.g. conferences, theatre, concerts, and sporting events. Restrictions on the number of attendees will be in place for now and social distancing should stay in place.
Northern Ireland
Outdoor hospitality venues can open. It is also planned that from the 24th of May some indoor visitor and cultural attractions will open: the NI government website has further details about what will and will not be included.
Travelling has a significant impact on coronavirus spreading because it links up communities that otherwise would not be connected and provides direct routes of virus transmission between them. It’s important to consider the relative risks and benefits when making decisions about holidays this year.
All holiday accommodation will be allowed to open in England and Wales from the 17th of May and in Northern Ireland from the 24th of May (subject to review on the 20th). Domestic travel rules will be extended to allow people to holiday in the UK in groups of up to 6 people from different households or bigger groups from a maximum of two households. You can reduce the risk of exposure to the virus by avoiding public transport and using your own means of transportation to get to your holiday destination. Self-contained, self-catering accommodation is also likely to reduce contact with others and therefore lower the risk of catching and spreading the virus.
International travel will begin reopening from the 17th of May. People will be allowed travel abroad for holidays to certain countries. The government website has detailed foreign travel advice, however we recommend that for now our members do not travel internationally.
Vaccines are an important way to protect yourself and other from coronavirus, but even two doses do not guarantee immunity, and new virus variants are emerging all the time. Most countries are not as far forward with vaccinations as we are, and many are not sequencing and monitoring new coronavirus variants so well. If you do go abroad, you are at an increased risk of being exposed to variants that might cause serious ill health, even in fully vaccinated people. Some countries, even those with relatively low rates of infection, have healthcare systems that are, and have been for some time, under severe and sustained pressure. Many beds, and ICU beds, are still filled with Covid-19 patients. It is safest to not consider going abroad this year.
COVID-secure rules remain for the workplace and businesses, including offices, shops, and hospitality.
England
All university students will be allowed to return to in-person lessons from the 17th of May, and students should have twice weekly coronavirus tests.
In secondary schools and colleges, face coverings will no longer be required in classrooms or communal areas. Twice-a-week home tests should continue.
Wales
Universities continue to provide a combination of face-to-face teaching and blended learning. The government have asked Welsh universities to take all reasonable steps to support students who prefer to learn remotely.
Northern Ireland
Universities will deliver distance learning where possible, face-to-face learning will only be used where it is essential and unavoidable.
England
Up to 30 people will be allowed to attend weddings, receptions, and significant life events such as wakes, baptisms, bar/bat mitzvahs. These events can be hosted outdoors or at indoor Covid-secure venues. The number of people allowed at funerals will be limited by the number that can fit in the venue with social distancing in place.
Wales
Wedding receptions and wakes can take place for up to 30 attendees indoors, or up to 50 outdoors.
Northern Ireland
The maximum number of attendees at weddings/civil partnerships and funerals is dependent on capacity and risk assessment for the venue. Masks must be worn by all unless exempt, or in the case of weddings – those in the marriage party. Receptions and post-ceremony gatherings are not allowed.
England
Up to 30 people will be able to attend support groups including parent and child groups. The limit does not count children under 5.
Wales
Support groups including parent & toddler groups are permitted, the maximum number of adults attending indoor groups with their children is 15.
England
Residents will be able to have up to 5 named visitors, with two visitors able to attend at the same time. Visitors must be tested and must follow infection control measures. Residents will also have more freedom to leave their care home without having to isolate after returning.
Wales
Two people may visit a care home resident.
Northern Ireland
Up to two visits per week are allowed. Visits are limited to two people (including children) at one time and can last up to an hour. Residents can take trips out of the home.
We breathe in about 10 times more air during intensive exercise compared with sitting in a chair breathing normally, this increases the risk of virus transmission. In some parts of the UK, indoor exercise will be allowed from the 17th of May but if you want take part in vigorous exercise classes, it is still safer do so outdoors.
England
Organised indoor adult sport and exercise classes can resume. Saunas and steam rooms can reopen.
Wales
Organised indoor exercise classes for up to 30 people can restart. Outdoor sports activities for up to 50 permitted.
Northern Ireland
Gyms, swimming pools and indoor leisure facilities can only open for individual exercise and also one-to-one training/ coaching with social distancing. Up to 15 people (including coaches) can take part in organised outdoor sports, run through clubs.