Message to our customers:
Dear Customer
Following the announcement of ‘Plan B’ rules on the 8th December 2021:
This message is to inform you that we will maintain our current high-level guidance, for those attending training with us, for the following reasons:
- Not everyone has yet been fully vaccinated
- Cases of coronavirus are currently on the increase, especially in Cornwall and the wider South West
- Although fewer people are becoming seriously ill with coronavirus, the hospitalisation and death rates are increasing currently
- We are conscious that individuals will react differently to the current restrictions; some will be relieved and glad to go back to face coverings, others may continue to feel anxious about being in the proximity of people they don’t usually meet whilst some may not feel that the restrictions apply to them. We want everyone to feel safe and secure during their course.
Social distancing: As a centre, we are requesting people think about the distance between themselves and others – and be mindful of how their proximity to others may encourage the spread of Covid-19, and how it may make others feel. Therefore, we are choosing to keep social distance practices in place during our courses, and ask all customers to respect this.
Face coverings: Because the most recent research suggests wearing a face covering protects others, not the wearer, we are asking our customers to continue wearing face coverings when attending indoor courses, and during any outdoor courses if distancing cannot be maintained.
Hand washing and hand sanitiser: Hand hygiene will also remain the same. Regular hand washing to be observed, if not possible due to location of the course e.g. in woodland, use of hand sanitiser to be encouraged.
If you have any concerns or disagree with our plans as described above, then please discuss this with us before booking on a course. Our booking procedure requires a signature form you in which you will be agreeing to our Covid-19 instructions as described here.
Many thanks for your understanding
Standard Guidelines:
In order to maintain high standards of delivery for you, our customers during these challenging times, and to reassure you of our commitment to keep you safe during your course, this is to let you know the measures Lynher Training Limited is taking to minimise the risks.
Before returning your signed booking form, please read these instructions carefully to confirm your agreement.
Should you attend:
- Following government advice, if you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, you should stay at home and arrange a test, see (https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus) for full details.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND and update us as soon as possible
- Isolating following close contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19 You are no longer required to self-isolate following close contact with someone who has received a positive test result so long as you are fully vaccinated. To be considered fully vaccinated you must have received both doses of vaccine, and it must be at least two weeks after receiving the second dose.
If you are not fully vaccinated as above, you must still self-isolate as per Government advice and only travel to a designated Covid-19 test site to be take a test. Gov.uk has up to date information about self-isolating – please refer to this, or if you are unable to, please contact the Lynher office.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND and update us as soon as possible
- Isolating after receiving a positive Covid-19 LFT result If you receive a positive LFT (lateral flow antigen test) you must self-isolate immediately and take a PCR test as soon as possible – including if you are fully vaccinated. You must only travel to a designated Covid-19 test site. Gov.uk has up to date information about self-isolating – please refer to this, or if you are unable to, please contact the Lynher office.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND and update us as soon as possible
- Isolating after receiving a positive Covid-19 PCR result If you receive a positive PCR (polymerase chain reaction test) you must self-isolate immediately – even if you are fully vaccinated. Gov.uk has up to date information about self-isolating – please refer to this, or if you are unable to, please contact the Lynher office.
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND and update us as soon as possible
- If you have been contacted by the Government Test and Trace system and been asked to self-isolate
PLEASE DO NOT ATTEND and update us as soon as possible
- If you are at increased risk of suffering severe illness from Covid-19, then please be aware that you will need to be particularly vigilant in following social distancing measures whilst attending a course. Although we will take every precaution to ensure that risks are minimised according to the guidelines, we suggest you contact us before your course to check with us about your particular requirements if you fall into this category.
PLEASE CONTACT US
Instructions for learners attending courses:
To minimise the risk of infection, and keep everyone safe, anyone attending courses will be required to follow the following guidelines. (based on Government’s ‘System of Control’ steps for FE settings):
HANDS
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; if that is not possible, use hand sanitiser. All of our classroom-based course venues will have excellent hand washing facilities.
- On practical courses (such as chainsaw, based in woodland) where hand washing facilities may not be available, learners will be required to bring their own hand sanitiser/alcohol gel or wipes.
FACE
- Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes.
- Trainees and instructors must arrive at venues wearing a face covering, and keep it on until given further directions by the instructor. (See below re exemptions)
- Indoor Venues: Face coverings to be worn at all times, except when seated (by us) at minimum 2m apart. Face masks can be taken off when seated at 2m apart, but must be worn when on any break/ moving from seat to any other area. We ask you even when seated, to please put on your face covering when others in the room are moving around and passing within 2 metres of your seat, to protect everyone at all times. For example, leaving the room, or the instructor handing paperwork around.
- Outdoor Venues: Face coverings must be worn whenever it is not possible to be at 2 metres social distance.
- Face Mask Exemptions: If you are exempt from wearing a face covering, we cannot insist that you do, and we cannot ask you to prove that you are exempt. It is your choice.
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 AN EXEMPTION ON THE DAY. 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.
- Disposal of used tissues/ facemasks etc.
We request that customers keep used items and take them home for disposal to avoid spreading the virus. Please do not under any circumstances leave used items in woodland, parkland or any other areas used for training.
SPACE
- Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place. We will provide increased space between learners on classroom courses, and for outdoor courses we will ensure that learners can easily maintain social distance.
- In car parking areas, make sure there is enough space between vehicles.
- Close contact activities (such as sharpening and demos) to be kept to an absolute minimum, and for no longer than 10mins at a time, face masks to be worn.
IMPORTANT Additional information:
- Bring your own refreshments. We will not provide refreshments at present, although this will be reviewed.
- Bring your own PPE both for the specific course you are attending (unless otherwise agreed in advance), and any Covid-19 specific PPE as specified for the course you are attending.
- Equipment: Only limited equipment is available to hire at present. Please discuss your requirements when booking. Customers who have booked and paid for courses without making arrangements for provision of equipment will not be refunded.
Screening on arrival:
- Instructor may check learners on arrival to exclude anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. e.g. new continuous cough, and/or loss of taste/smell.
- Instructor will check that no learner is in a situation where they should be self-isolating.
- Learners will be excluded from the course as necessary
Cancelled Courses:
All our staff and instructors will be following the above advice. In the event that they need to self-isolate, this could lead to cancellation of courses at short notice. We will do our best to avoid this.
We recognise that the government may reintroduce lockdown measures, and if this happens it may become necessary to cancel or postpone courses in response to guidance from public health authorities. We obviously hope this won’t happen but should this be necessary, we hope that you, our customers will be as understanding as you have been in the past.
Your Instructor/ Assessor:
We are sure that everyone will do their best to abide by the guidelines laid out here; namely, whether to attend, what to bring, and social distancing /hand washing etc. However, learners must be aware that your attendance will be at your instructor’s discretion.
If the instructor decides that your attendance presents a risk to you or others on the course, then you will be asked to return home. We ask you to please comply and to contact us once you have returned home. We will discuss the situation on a case by case basis, and as ever we will endeavour to be as flexible and understanding as possible.
Rescheduling Courses:
Courses cancelled by Lynher Training due to shortage of staff due to illness or self-isolation, will be rescheduled as soon as possible, and following government advice. We will inform customers of new available dates and will provide options to provide flexibility. If customers have to self-isolate and therefore miss their course, please contact us, and we will advise you of the next availability. *
*We will talk to customers about course cancellation and the rescheduling of courses on an individual basis. As stated in our Terms and Conditions we are not obliged to accept responsibility for changes brought about by circumstances beyond our control, however we will always strive to be fair and accommodating to those who have had genuine concerns/ circumstances preventing them attending courses.
Non-compliance with COVID 19 measures:
Many of the organisations and agencies booking training with us, have asked us to supply details of our Covid-19 measures and risk assessments before agreeing to continue training with us. It is our duty to these companies and all of our customers, to ensure that our training venues are Covid-19 secure as stated on our published information. Everyone attending a course, should feel confident that what we say will happen, will happen, and we are determined to ensure this is the case!
We do understand that there is a lot to remember, and of course there will be the occasional mistake, and so we are asking instructors to remind trainees about the rules when necessary.
However, in the case of deliberate or repeated non-compliance with the guidelines, instructors have the authority to ask you to leave the course immediately.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding in these difficult circumstances.
Enjoy your course and if you have any queries or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01822 832232.
Best wishes, Karen and Allen Howell