Coronavirus
(COVID-19)
To Protect Each Other - HANDS FACE SPACE
Even as most legal restrictions are lifted from 19th July, we all have a responsibility and duty of care for ourselves and those around us.
The pandemic is not over, people are still becoming seriously ill or dying from COVID-19.
Even fully vaccinated people can still contract and transmit COVID-19.
If you have COVID symptoms you must avoid contact with others and get a test or medical advice.
We still need to reduce the risk to others and ourselves - many shops, public transport, venues, etc. may ask you to continue to use hand sanitiser, wearing a mask and to socially distance. Think about meeting outdoors, increasing ventilation indoors, wearing a face covering in crowded areas, minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts. Continue to wash or sanitise hands regularly and to clean surfaces touched by others.
Wash hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water.
Use hand sanitiser where soap and water are not available.
Where possible wash hands before and after each activity.
Avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily.
If you can, wear a face covering in enclosed spaces.
Wash or sanitise hands before and after handling face covering.
Avoid touching your face or face covering.
Wash or replace face coverings regularly.
Keep 2 metres (6 feet) apart wherever possible.
Use other safety measures if not e.g. 1 metre separation with face covering.
Avoid crowded places.
Show consideration to others.
Not all people can wear a face covering or understand the COVID restrictions.
Some may have greater anxiety or be struggling with the situation.
Support one another.
Before you leave home ask yourself
" Do I have any Coronavirus symptoms ? "
a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste
If you do, please stay at home and get a test or get medical advice.
" Do I have any Coronavirus symptoms ? "
a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste
If you do, please stay at home and get a test or get medical advice.
For further information see links below.
Please be aware that you may not have severe or indeed any of these symptoms but may still have Coronavirus, and that new variants mean the vaccine may not give full protection.
Protect others- Hands Face Space
Find out what level of restrictions apply in your location.
Currently Taunton is under National Guidance Exercise caution. The vaccine may not offer full protection and does not stop you from transmitting the virus to others, so you still need to apply caution in your interactions with others.
If you have any symptoms get tested or get medical advice, avoid contact with others, and stay at home.
From Monday 19th July most legal restrictions to control COVID-19 will be lifted
You will not need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with.
There will also be no limits on the number of people you can meet.The Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can.
The requirement to wear face coverings in law will be lifted.
There will no longer be limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and other life events including receptions and celebrations.
There will be no requirement for table service at life events, or restrictions on singing or dancing.
There will no longer be restrictions on group sizes for attending communal worship.
There are a number of legal requirements remaining concerning contact by NHS Test and Trace, having a positive COVID test, and foreign travel.
COVID-19 has not gone away, so it’s important to remember the actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe. Everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. Preventative measures and sensible precautions such as Hands Face Space guidance, vaccination and testing, and compliance with national local and venue COVID-secure measures, will still be needed to prevent further outbreaks and to ensure our continued safety.
In order to minimise risk at a time of high prevalence, you should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually. This includes minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
Meet outdoors where possible and let fresh air into homes or other enclosed spaces.
It is recommended that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.
Shops, venues and public transport may ask you to adhere to preventative measures.
From 16th August, if you have been fully vaccinated you will be exempt from the requirement to self-isolate if you are a contact of a positive case. You will instead be advised to take a PCR test as soon as possible.
Note different restrictions apply in Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland.
As a caring church we are aware of the concerns of our congregation, community, country and world at large regarding the current coronavirus outbreak. We wish to support those in need of reassurance and our prayers (see our Prayer Page). Please use the telephone number or email at the foot of the page if you need to contact us.
Please note although some church services and group activities have restarted they will be operating in line with Methodist Church and Government guidance during the coronavirus outbreak to reduce the risk of infection. Also not all services and activities that happened before the pandemic have restarted just yet. You can catch up on services on our Previous Services & Sermons page. You can also join in worship from home via a number of other websites including Wesley's Chapel and Westminster Central Hall or use the Methodist Church resources found on our Home Worship page. Worship material from Temple can be found on the This Week's Service and Prayer pages. You can also keep in touch with our friends at Paul St URC and St John's.
Below are some links which give information regarding guidance to churches from the Methodist Church, information from the UK government, NHS/Public Health England, local government, and charities.
The Methodist Church regularly issues guidance and resources such as attending church, welcoming people, worship & communion, pastoral concerns, and events such as weddings and funerals.
The Methodist Church Coronavirus Guidance and Resources
The UK government provides up to date information on how to stay safe, testing, employment, schools, housing, travel, care and support, and vaccination.
UK government Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage (main webpage)
Test and trace what to do if you think you have symptoms
Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Get Coronavirus Support as a Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Person
COVID-19 Vaccination Programme
NHS advice on reducing the risk of contracting coronavirus
NHS advice and information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
NHS advice and information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination
Useful websites
Somerset West & Taunton Council Local Advice & Information including how to get support
Somerset County Council Local Advice & Information including how to get support