DCMS Museums and Galleries Sector Coronavirus bulletin update 29 November
NEW Prime Minister sets out new measures as Omicron variant identified in UK: 27/11
PM opening statement at COVID-19 press conference: 27/11
Government takes decisive action against new COVID-19 variant: 28/11
Oral statement to update on the Omicron variant: 29/11
- New temporary and precautionary measures following the emergence of the Omicron variant in the UK. Measures will be reviewed in three weeks time.
- Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport in England from Tuesday 30 November.
- Face coverings will be mandatory in museum shops.
- They will not be mandatory in other areas of museums, and all hospitality settings exempt.
- All international arrivals must take a Day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
- All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
NEW Red list of countries and territories: updated 28/11
Travel to England from another country during coronavirus: updated 28/11
- South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia have been added to the red list.
NEW Government publishes final Events Research Programme reports: 26/11
Events Research Programme: Phase II and III findings: 26/11
- Over 2 million people at 31 events contributed to research on reducing Covid transmission risk. Findings have informed government policy on reopening the live events sector.
Medicine, Myth and Memory: Trusted Voices in the Pandemic
- Thursday 9 December 2021 10-3pm. Webinar showcasing and celebrating the creativity and innovation that UK medical museums have demonstrated this past 18 months.
Previous bulletins:
Reopening museums
National guidance on reopening museums post-lockdown is available and updated regularly. Visit our dedicated web page here
Business Support
Business Support website
The UK Government is supporting businesses and their employees through a package of measures during this period of unprecedented disruption. The Business Support website helps businesses find the right support, advice and information to help with the impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Organisations can register to receive free rapid lateral flow tests for their rmployees and volunteers who cannot work from home. Details can be found on gov.uk.
Acas
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) Coronavirus advice for employers and employees is updated regularly and can be viewed here.
Specifically the latest advice on staying safe at work, testing the staff for coronavirus and getting the vaccine can be found here.
Sector Information and Support
Arts Council England (ACE)
The latest advice, guidance and emergency funding measures the Arts Council, government and several external organisations have put in place to address the Covid-19/coronavirus crisis can be found here
Association of Independent Museums (Aim)
Aim has a web page which covers a range of advice and guidance and is regularly updated. Visit the web page here
They also have a range of support exclusively for AIM members which includes:
- Aim Hallmarks at Home
- ‘The HR Dept’ HR helpline for members, plus advice for staff
- Online Advice Surgeries
If you are an independent museum and Aim member we strongly encourage you to access the support available.
Heritage Volunteering Group
Heritage Volunteering Group has worked with DCMS to produce guidance on Covid Secure Volunteering which has now been published. Read it here.
It has already received confirmation that organisations applying to receive rapid lateral flow tests for their workforce can include volunteers as well as employees in the headcount criteria.
Museums Association
National Archives
The National Archives has issued guidance for archive services which can be found here.
NCVO
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has produced a summary page of advice and guidance on its web pages and can be found here
They have also made their member-only resources free to everyone because of the current situation and can be accessed here
Amongst these resources you can find further information and support on Risk Management including Zurich’s full guidance on pandemic planning, along with a checklist that can be used to plan for a pandemic and minimise its impact. Read more here
Key coronavirus legal issues for charities explained – a recent webinar with the experts from Bates Wells solicitors providing advice on contracts, finances and the new furlough scheme. You can watch on demand here.
Data Protection and Coronavirus – If your staff are working remotely, you may need to create new procedures and consider how extra care may be taken to secure information. Hope & May has put together some guidance for organisations and can be read in full here
Roots HR
Roots HR Community Interest Company is the UK’s specialist consultancy for human resources and health and safety services for social sector. They provide 1 hour FREE Human Resources consultancy services to leaders and managers working in social sector. View their voucher and contact details here
Their consultants have put together some simple and free tools to support employers with home working which include:
- a form of words for formalising the change in contractual terms with your employees
- a Display Screen Checklist for employees
Key Information Sources
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response – Sign up for email alerts
- COVID-19: guidance for employers and businesses
- Public Health England
- NHS guidance
- FCO Travel advice
- Government Action Plan
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