Dear friends,
With recent news about the coronavirus, you may have some questions or concerns.
Magpie Dance continues to follow all health and safety precautions advised by Public Health England to ensure the well-being of everyone at Magpie Dance (participants, staff, volunteers and visitors).
There is currently no cause for concern. Below is an update summary of Public Health England’s guidance to prevent further spread of the virus. Please note that the advice changes regularly so we recommend you keep up to date via the government website for the latest information.
I would like to re-assure you that we will do our very best to protect everyone at Magpie Dance from the covid-19 virus. To minimise the risk and spread of infection, we will encourage the participants to:
Catch coughs and sneezes with clean tissues (or to cough/sneeze in their elbow/sleeve if a tissue is not to hand) and throw away immediately and then wash their hands
When washing hands, we will make sure participants wash their thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water and dry them fully with paper towels
Facilitators will ensure that participants wash their hands immediately before and after sessions
– For Thursday participants that stay all day and take lunch, we will make sure they wash their hands (as per above) prior to eating their lunch
For any participants attending trips, likewise we will take regular breaks to wash hands
Whilst dancing there may be touch involved, however we will avoid touching face, eyes and nose
We will no longer ‘hi 5’ when we greet each other; we will touch elbows instead
Facilitators will use hand gel, have tissues on them (available for participants) and wash their hands before and after sessions
Currently, government advice is for most people to continue to go to work, school and other public places. Our sessions will carry on as usual. Our whole company performance on the 24th May (at Langley Park School for Boys) is still planned to go ahead at this stage.
We also rely on your help to minimise the risks by evaluating if participants are well enough or not to attend a session – please note we cannot make this decision for you (if you have any doubt, best to act on the side of caution or call NHS 111); for example, if your participant has a mild cold, but feels well and fit enough to attend a session, then that participant must be prepared to take the above precautions during class.
We will continue to monitor the information published by the Department of Health and Social Care and keep you informed and updated with all relevant information should the situation change or develop. Please also keep up to date with official advice from the government. Current advice, updated every day, may be found by following this link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Below are links to charities providing support and further information should you want to read it / if applicable to you.
Mencap has advice and support as well as an easy read guide.
Diabetes UK has provided an updated information page for people living with diabetes.
Asthma UK has released a blog post with advice for people with asthma.
The British Heart Foundation has published guidance for people with health problems.
The National Eczema Society has offered advice on handwashing techniques for people with eczema and other skin conditions.
SignHealth has created British Sign Language (BSL) videos to help deaf BSL users either working in charities or receiving support.
Carers UK has produced recommendations for carers.
Full Fact has generated a fact check page on covid-19 to help dispel any false information.
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust, Primary Immunodeficiency UK and the Mental Health Foundation have all issued advice and support.
Ohana Yoga Studio shares 7 tips to stay strong and in the peace of mind during this time
A guide about guarding mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
