COVID-19 Guidelines For Support Groups

Guidance for Attendees

  1. We encourage all attendees to get vaccinated where possible. Vaccines are the best defence we have against COVID-19 and other respiratory infections such as flu. They provide good protection against hospitalisation and death. They also reduce the risk of long-term symptoms. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and vaccine programmes are continuously monitored.
  2. Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer. Cover your coughs and sneezes. We will ensure that the venue has adequate hand-washing facilities and that hand sanitizer is provided.
  3. You are no longer required to wear a face-covering to attend, but it is recommended that you do so in crowded and enclosed spaces, particularly if you know that clinically vulnerable people will be in attendance.
  4. You may find that other attendees will not be wearing masks. Some people with facial palsy have hearing loss and may need to lip read or may have difficulty wearing masks due to the breath being directed into the eye. Please be mindful and respectful of other people’s circumstances.
  5. You do not need to do a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) or demonstrate your Covid status in order to attend a meeting. However, if you know that a clinically vulnerable person is attending, then you may choose to take an LFT beforehand.
  6. Social distancing is no longer required for gatherings, but we will provide as much space as possible and inform you ahead of time if the meeting is likely to be crowded.
  7. You should follow the latest government recommendations around testing and staying at home. Current guidance for the four nations can be found here:

Last reviewed: 09-05-2022    ||    Next review due: 09-05-2025