March 18th, 2020

Coronavirus advice

The Board of Deputies is currently following Government guidelines on how to contain the transmission of coronavirus. It is vital that we all implement these precautions. Should the guidelines change, we will review our policies accordingly.

For the most up-to-date guidance and advice,we advise you log on to the Government’s Covid -19 web-page.

For the latest information can also be found by following the links below:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/

https://www.jvn.org.uk/emergency

http://https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-educational-provision/guidance-for-schools-colleges-and-local-authorities-on-maintaining-educational-provision

At this time of national and international crisis it is up to all of us to do whatever we can to help those in need both within and outside our community.

We are currently consulting with other community organisations to coordinate these efforts but members of the community also have a crucial role to play in doing whatever weare able to help those in distress in your local community.

Click here to download a ‘Can I Help You’ card which you can print off, fill out and post through the letter box to your neighbours. This will let members of your local community know that you are available do a food shop or even just to speak to someone on the phone who is self-isolating.

You can email Lauren Keiles Lauren.keiles@bod.org.uk with any ideas and plans for action which may help to mitigate the suffering many people will inevitably endure in the coming months.

Public Health Advice

Public Health England have developed specific guidance for:

Employers

Educational Settings

Social or Community Care and Residential Care settings

This section was updated on 17/03/2020, please check Public Health England to ensure you have the most up to date information

A reminder that the advice for anyone in any setting is to follow these main guidelines.

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of a new continuous cough and/or high temperature. If you have these symptoms, however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. Anyone in a household with someone showing possible COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate for 14 days from that moment as well. You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose, or after being in public areas where other people are doing so. Use hand sanitiser if that’s all you have access to.
To reduce the spread of germs when you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, or your sleeve (not your hands) if you don’t have a tissue, and throw the tissue away immediately. Then wash your hands or use a hand sanitising gel.
Clean and disinfect regularly touched objects and surfaces using your regular cleaning products to reduce the risk of passing the infection on to other people.

At the current time and based on our understanding of what is known of COVID-19 and other similar respiratory viruses, it is likely that older people and those with chronic medical conditions may be vulnerable to severe disease. As more information emerges, recommendations may change.

Guidelines have also been issued for social distancing for everyone and protecting older and vulnerable people.

As of 17th March there is new guidance for households with possible COVID-19 infection.

Remote working and support for staff who are self-isolating

27 tools and apps (many free or low cost) that assist with remote working

SAGE guide to remote working and virtual teams

ACAS advice for employers and employees

CIPD have put together resources on understanding how to support your organisation and workforce through a global health emergency

Resources for Online Meetings, Classes, and Events by Facilitators for Pandemic Response group and other collaborators have put together a guide for remote working

Personal wellbeing

A guide to Coronavirus and your wellbeing – Mind

JAMI have provided some advice for looking after yourself, your family and the community, with some further links to organisations offering remote support.

Some advice from JAMI for carers on mental health and covid-19. Read it here.

Advice from Denominations: Guidance from Religious Bodies can be found below.

Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations Ephraim Mirvis has issued this statement.

S&P Sephardi Community

Some mental health