Dear Customer,
Thank you for your continued support during this time. From April 1st the Government have issued new guidelines about ‘next steps for living with COVID’.
The government’s message:
The population now has much stronger protection against COVID-19 than at any other point in the pandemic. This means we can begin to manage the virus like other respiratory infections, thanks to the success of the vaccination programme and access to antivirals, alongside natural immunity and increased scientific and public understanding about how to manage risk.
The new guidance includes the following advice for education settings like ours.
- adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature
- children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend
- adults with a positive COVID-19 test result should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days, which is when they are most infectious. For children and young people aged 18 and under, the advice will be 3 days
Further information at:
Lynher Training’s COVID Measures from April 1st 2022:
We have adapted our COVID measures to take into account the Government’s latest guidance, and have also taken into account the following factors:
- Free Covid tests are no longer available to the general public and there is no general requirement to test for Covid
- People with Covid may already be attending courses as they have no symptoms and are therefore unaware.
- People vary in their levels of concern and anxiety about Covid.
- Cases of Covid infections are currently very high in the South West, with many sufferers being very poorly indeed despite being vaccinated.
We agree with the Government’s statement that we now need to start living with Covid and that we are in a much better position thanks to the vaccination programme, but we feel a responsibility towards our customers and our instructors to keep the level of infection to an absolute minimum on our courses where we have a degree of control.
For example, although there have recent changes to government guidance on the recommendation to wear a facemask, further education providers like ourselves are expected to continue to risk assess as we see fit.
We risk assess our training areas to cater for the most cautious and vulnerable attendees; although many people are happy to stop wearing facemasks, many people are not, so our measures in terms of face masks remain the same for now.
If you are attending one of our training courses, or assessments you must:
- Bring a face mask and wear indoors unless seated by us (we aim for 2m distance)
- Always maintain 2 metres social distance.
- Be careful in restricted areas like doorways, and toilets – one person at a time please.
- When outdoors in a group remember to stand well apart.
- Observe any venue specific rules.
Social distancing:
We are asking attendees to be aware about the distance between themselves and others – and be mindful of how their proximity to others may encourage the spread of Covid and how it may make others feel. Social distancing practice must be observed during our courses, and we ask all customers to respect this. Anyone disregarding this will be asked to leave the course.
Face coverings:
Recent research indicates that wearing a face covering protects others, not the wearer. We require attendees to continue wearing face coverings to protect each other when attending indoor courses as described in the summary below, and during any outdoor courses if distancing cannot be maintained.
Important information about Face Mask Exemptions:
If you are exempt from wearing a face covering, we cannot insist that you do, and we will not ask you to prove that you are exempt. HOWEVER, it is essential that you inform us at the time of booking to discuss with us whether the course is suitable and safe for you to attend without a face covering.
Whilst we understand and respect your choice not to wear a face covering, we have a duty to risk assess all of our courses to keep you and other course participants safe.
IT WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTABLE TO ARRIVE AT A COURSE AND DECLARE A FACE MASK EXEMPTION ON THE DAY OF THE COURSE. ANYONE ARRIVING AT A COURSE WILL BE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE ABOVE GUIDELINES UNLESS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED AND AGREED. COURSE FEES WILL NOT BE REFUNDABLE IN THIS INSTANCE.
Hand washing and hand sanitiser:
Hand hygiene will remain the same. Regular hand washing/ use of hand sanitiser must be observed.
Should you attend a course?
- Follow the government’s message as above: ‘adults with the symptoms of a respiratory infection, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature’
TO SUMMARISE: If you are attending one of courses, training or assessments:
Please ensure that you:
- Bring a face mask and wear indoors unless seated by us (we aim for 2m)
- Always maintain 2 metres social distance.
- Be careful in restricted areas like doorways, and toilets – one person at a time please.
- When outdoors in a group remember to stand well apart.
- Observe any venue specific rules.
Thanks in advance for your support with this, and let’s hope we can get back to some kind of normality soon. If you wish to contact us regarding any of the above or if you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch and we can answer questions, queries and hopefully alleviate any concerns.
The office is open: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm.
Best wishes and take care – from Karen and Allen Howell and all the Lynher team.