Confused by Rule of Six (and what's the likely hood my mortgage application could be turned down)

[Deleted User]

I work in a community centre.

We have many different classes and activities.

We are a covid secure building, following social distancing, cleanliness, etc. 

I am confused as to who can and cannot meet. 

The info, when I last looked, was updated on 9th Sept, I looked again, and it was last updated on 14th to include things like informal or formal groups can't meet.

We updated our new risk assessment to allow groups to have more than 6 in a room at once, all socially distant where possible, as per (supposedly) the rules and regs.

For example we have a social bowls group that meets. There's 12 of them. The large hall can accommodate them all, social distant, but according to the rules now,they can't meet. The bowls is also exercise though, so surely they can meet? 

Everything is so confusing right now, I'm disgusted with the lack of clarity from the government and the fact we have to find all the info ourselves when we get no notification if the page is updated. 

I'm in the middle of trying to get a mortgage, I'm worried I may not get it if I have to go on furlough again, or have reduced hours. I recently had a return to work letter stating I'd be back full time from Sept 1st in a secure position (which is true) 

Thrugelmir

Our bowls club has introduced very tight rules based on National Indoor guidance. The change to 6 made no impact as the club was already well within them. 
http://www.eiba.co.uk/news/2020/return-to-indoor-bowls-guidance-version5.pdf

[Deleted User]

Thrugelmir said:

Our bowls club has introduced very tight rules based on National Indoor guidance. The change to 6 made no impact as the club was already well within them. 
http://www.eiba.co.uk/news/2020/return-to-indoor-bowls-guidance-version5.pdf

The "club" at our community centre, isn't really a club. We run it as a community centre. Everything is cleaned etc etc etc between each use

Thrugelmir

DeletedUser said:

Thrugelmir said:

Our bowls club has introduced very tight rules based on National Indoor guidance. The change to 6 made no impact as the club was already well within them. 
http://www.eiba.co.uk/news/2020/return-to-indoor-bowls-guidance-version5.pdf

The "club" at our community centre, isn't really a club. We run it as a community centre. Everything is cleaned etc etc etc between each use

Do you have rules for those participating in a session?  Not just a question of cleaning afterwards. 

[Deleted User]

Thrugelmir said:

DeletedUser said:

Thrugelmir said:

Our bowls club has introduced very tight rules based on National Indoor guidance. The change to 6 made no impact as the club was already well within them. 
http://www.eiba.co.uk/news/2020/return-to-indoor-bowls-guidance-version5.pdf

The "club" at our community centre, isn't really a club. We run it as a community centre. Everything is cleaned etc etc etc between each use

Do you have rules for those participating in a session?  Not just a question of cleaning afterwards. 

That they socially distance where possible and they all wear a face covering. All window are open. one way in, one way out. etc. 

jon81uk

They can play bowls in groups of up to six with social distancing. But to socialise they will have to break into distanced tables of six and not mix.
"

Lawn bowls and croquet

You can play lawn bowls and croquet where facilities have reopened, but you can only take part in these activities by yourself or with no more than 5 other people, as long as you are able to maintain social distancing." from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-phased-return-of-outdoor-sport-and-recreation

See also https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities
and for indoor sport
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/providers-of-grassroots-sport-and-gym-leisure-facilities

[Deleted User]

DeletedUser said:

Thrugelmir said:

DeletedUser said:

Thrugelmir said:

Our bowls club has introduced very tight rules based on National Indoor guidance. The change to 6 made no impact as the club was already well within them. 
http://www.eiba.co.uk/news/2020/return-to-indoor-bowls-guidance-version5.pdf

The "club" at our community centre, isn't really a club. We run it as a community centre. Everything is cleaned etc etc etc between each use

Do you have rules for those participating in a session?  Not just a question of cleaning afterwards. 

That they socially distance where possible and they all wear a face covering. All window are open. one way in, one way out. etc. 

If the new rules mean that X or Y can go ahead with suitable social distancing in a covid secure building, that's fine! 

jon81uk

Also specifically for bowls, lots of info here, this is dated 2nd June, but as it mentions groups of six the advice seems like it is still relevant https://www.bowlsengland.com/6217-2/ it mentions six people on each rink, with an empty rink between each set. That seems in line with other government advice (for example a table of six can meet in a restaurant with distancing or screens separating them from other tables of six)

So if you have 12 people wanting to play bowls, they can do it as two sixes, with empty rinks providing distance.

Given that guidance is dated June, I don't think things have changed all that much anyway.

[Deleted User]

Can we have a language group, say 8 - 10 in a room, all socially distant, following covid secure protocol? 

jon81uk

DeletedUser said:

Can we have a language group, say 8 - 10 in a room, all socially distant, following covid secure protocol? 

From https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities/covid-19-guidance-for-the-safe-use-of-multi-purpose-community-facilities
"

2a: Social distancing and capacity

Measures should be in place to ensure all users of community facilities follow the guidelines on social distancing, including strict adherence to social distancing of 2 metres or 1 metre with risk mitigation (where 2 metres is not viable) are acceptable. You should consider and set out the mitigations you will introduce in your risk assessment.

The size and circumstance of the premises will determine the maximum number of people that can be accommodated while also facilitating social distancing. In defining the number of people that can reasonably follow 2 metres distancing (or 1 metre with risk mitigation), the total floorspace as well as likely pinch points and busy areas should be taken into account (e.g. entrances, exits) and where possible alternative or one-way routes introduced.

It is against the law for people to gather in a group of more than six, whether indoors or outdoors, unless covered by an exemption. This limit does not apply to meetings of a single household group or support bubble which is more than 6 people.

Community facilities following COVID-19 Secure guidance can host more than 6 people in total, but no one should visit or socialise in a group of greater than 6. Further information on social contact rules, social distancing and the exemptions that exist can be found on the guidance on meeting with others safely. These rules does not apply to workplaces or education settings, alongside other exemptions. See more details on what has changed.

Informal or formal adult social groups, clubs and activities can gather in groups no greater than 6 in adherence to social distancing rules. However, for activities where there is a significant likelihood of groups of six interacting, and therefore breaking the law, should not  take place in a community facility. Further details is set out in section 3c: Recreation, leisure and social gatherings"

So as I understand it if you are in a formal setting (and it sounds like a language class would be), with clearly distanced furniture then you should be fine for the class.

But if it is a more social activity (such as a sewing club, or the WI) then the maximum of six comes in.

[Deleted User]

So people can't sit and sew in classroom style table layout, but can participate in a language class in a classroom style table layout.

It's all so confusing.