COVID-19

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The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson announced the latest round of Coronavirus related regulations where there have been some stark changes. As of Monday 14th September 2020, amid a rise in coronavirus cases, it is illegal for those in England to have social gatherings of more than 6 people at a time. Six people can meet providing social distancing measures of 1 metre plus are being complied with.

In England, the new ‘rule of six’ rule limits the meeting of more than 6 people from multiple households, (family or otherwise). This rule applies to both indoor and outdoor meetings as well as to those of all ages. Consequently, gatherings in venues like pubs, private homes and restaurants as well as outdoor spaces such as parks are all affected. 

Whilst Northern Ireland has not announced any changes, in Wales, it is now illegal for more than six people from an extended household to meet indoors. It has also been said that children aged 11 and under in Wales from the extended household do not count in the total. However, there is some leniency in Wales as up to 30 people from different households can still meet outside. In Scotland on the other hand, a maximum number of six people from two different households can meet but unlike England, children aged under 12 – but importantly from the same two households in question – will not be included in the total.

Any social events that relax the ‘rule of six’?

In England, exceptions are allowed in the event of:

- Education and training settings

- Workplaces

- If your household or support bubble is larger than six

- Jury duty or other legal commitments

- Protests and political events, if all safety guidelines are complied with

- Support groups, such as for addiction or abuse

- Playing sport, either professionally or for fun

Weddings, special religious occasions and funerals are permitted to go ahead with up to 30 people attending, in groups of six or less. Venues such as places of worship and pubs have no limit on the number of people entering them, but they MUST be compliant with the safety rules and allow for social distancing. Each person must NOT enter any such venue in a group of more than six.

These new measures allow the police to break gatherings that are more than six people and members of such groups can be fined if they fail to follow the rules. The fine will start at £100 for a first offence, doubling on each offence up to £3,200. 

We at Aetos Health Care urge ALL our service users and care workers to take maximum precaution in order to keep yourself and others safe. It is imperative we take the necessary steps to get through this phase of the pandemic safely and therefore have introduced further recommendations of our own. These include:

- Service users ought to plan their social meetings responsibly and limit them to one/two times a week at most. We advise you to plan these in advance ensuring any and all social distancing rules are met by yourself, the carers and those whom you wish to visit.

- ALL carers are advised to use Personal Protective Equipment (face masks, gloves and aprons) when and where necessary and as advised. In addition, ALL carers are advised to immediately notify management if and when running low and need to replenish their stock.

- Service users are should inform their carers how much assistance you will require of them during any of these visits.

- ALL care workers ought to plan their daily breaks responsibly. You are free to leave the premise but only if you can ensure social distancing measures will be met. May we also request you only leave the premise once a day and meet no more than one other person to ensure your safety as well as the safety of the service user in your care.

- ALL care workers should refrain from attending constant gatherings with different people where social distancing measures will be difficult to meet. 

Coronavirus has affected many of our lives in different ways. We at Aetos moved swiftly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those who are linked with us in whatever way possible and we will continue to do so. The Prime Minister has announced new rules pertaining to the lockdown as the rate of infection is controlled and a sense of normality could begin.

As of July 4th July 2020, new government regulations pertaining to the lockdown will come into effect in England which means there have been subsequent changes to what people can and cannot do. These new changes include:

- The 2m social distancing rule will now be replaced by a new 1-metre-plus rule but ONLY where it is not possible to remain 2 metres apart. 

- Restaurant and pubs in England will also be allowed to open (providing they follow safety guidelines). All indoor hospitality will be limited to table service and contact between staff and customers will be limited.

- Holiday accommodation, where overnight stay is possibility, can now be open.

- Two households of any size will now be able to meet indoors or outside and it is also possible to stay overnight. The government, however, does not recommend meeting multiple households at the same time.

- Multiple households can, on the other hand, meet outdoors in groups of six providing they adhere to social distancing but two households can meet regardless of size.

- Places of worship can now also open for prayers and services including weddings with up to 30 people and subject to social distancing.

- Other outdoor spaces such as outdoor gyms, children’s playgrounds can also open.

- Hairdressers will be allowed to open as long as they take precautions

- Libraries, community centres bingo halls, cinemas, museums, and galleries will be able to open.

We at Aetos Health Care are fully confident in the training provided to our carers about our competencies pertaining to the safety of each service user and the carers themselves. In addition, we are also supporting all clients and carers with PPE (masks, gloves, aprons etc.) and would reiterate their use if and when appropriate.

Although there has been an easing of lockdown rules, we at Aetos Health Care Ltd urge all our service users and care workers to take maximum precaution in order to keep yourself and others safe. It is imperative we take the necessary steps to get through this phase of the pandemic safely and therefore have introduced further recommendations of our own. These include:

- Service users ought to plan their social meetings responsibly and limit them to one/two times a week at most. We advise you to plan these in advance ensuring any and all social distancing rules are met by yourself, the carers and those whom you wish to visit.

- ALL carers are advised to use Personal Protective Equipment (face masks, gloves and aprons) when and where necessary and as advised. In addition, ALL carers are advised to immediately notify management if and when running low and need to replenish their stock.

- Service users are should inform their carers how much assistance you will require of them during any of these visits.

- ALL care workers ought to plan their daily breaks responsibly. You are free to leave the premise but only if you can ensure social distancing measures will be met. May we also request you only leave the premise once a day and meet no more than one other person to ensure your safety as well as the safety of the service user in your care.

- ALL care workers should refrain from attending constant gatherings with different people where social distancing measures will be difficult to meet. 

We thank you for your efforts so far and encourage the continuity of this cooperation.

Team Aetos Health Care